Heating and cooking system

Abstract

To provide a heating cooking system with high convenience capable of acquiring even cooking condition data from the outside.SOLUTION: A heating cooking system includes a heating cooker, an information processing terminal having a terminal side operation part communicable with the heating cooker and a terminal side display part, and a cloud server connected to the information processing terminal by a network, the cloud server has a transmission function for cooking condition data for the heating cooker and display information to be displayed in the terminal side display part in response to a request from the information processing terminal, the information processing terminal includes a function for transmitting command information inputted to the terminal side operation part to the cloud server and a function for displaying information of the cooking condition data received from the cloud server in the terminal side display part, the information processing terminal has a function for narrowing down food components or nutrient components of a cooking menu to be an object of cooking condition data for a specific cooking menu to be transmitted to the heating cooker from a database, and the information processing terminal has a function for transmitting the cooking condition data and information showing the food components or the nutrient components of cooking to the heating cooker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 59

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking system that uses a combined cooking device that heats an object to be heated, such as a pot, placed on a top plate. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, among cooking appliances, a cooking appliance having a plurality of types of heating means is called a composite cooking appliance. Furthermore, cooking appliances can be broadly divided into three types based on the environment in which they are used. One of these is the so-called "built-in type," which is installed inside kitchen furniture such as a kitchen counter. The second is the "freestanding type," which is placed in a designated location on kitchen furniture, like a gas stove (also called a "gas-fired table"). The third is the small, portable "tabletop type," which is placed in any desired location on a dining table, etc.

[0003] There are many "built-in" cooking appliances that are multi-purpose, equipped with multiple heat sources, and they are popular for their ability to handle a variety of cooking methods. However, because they are installed inside kitchen furniture, the external dimensions must be designed to conform to the standards of general kitchen furniture, meaning there is significantly less freedom in design compared to "freestanding" or "tabletop" appliances, making it difficult to create a practical product.

[0004] A typical combined heating cooker that can expand the range of cooking options has been proposed, which has a grill chamber (also called an "oven chamber" or "heating chamber," but hereinafter referred to collectively as "heating chamber") inside the main body that is heated by a heat source, and which introduces microwaves from a microwave heating source into the heating chamber (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] The combined cooking device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can cook food using different types of heating means, for example, above the top plate (first location) and in the interior space of the heating chamber (second location). This has the advantage of being able to cook a variety of foods. The convenience of this cooking device can be further improved if cooking condition data for the food desired by the user can be obtained externally via a network or a communication terminal.

[0006] Meanwhile, a cooking system has been proposed in the past in which communication is performed between a communication terminal such as a smartphone and a cooking appliance, and cooking condition data corresponding to a cooking recipe selected on the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal to the cooking appliance to perform cooking (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0007] Patent Document 2 is not a combined heating cooker, but a heating cooker (gas-fired heating cooker) that has multiple heating sections (e.g., a right burner, a left burner, a rear burner) and has a communication function, and proposes a configuration in which, when a user operates a communication terminal to select a specific recipe from a cooking menu, the heating cooker acquires cooking condition data for the multiple heating sections all at once.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 proposes a menu creation support device that efficiently supports the creation of healthy menus that contain nutrients suitable for the user and can be made using existing ingredients. This patent document 3 discloses a system that includes a personal information storage means for storing personal information including the user's age, sex, and weight, a nutritional requirement storage means for storing the nutritional requirements for each user based on the personal information stored in the personal information storage means, a user selection means for selecting a desired user for whom a menu is to be created from the users whose personal information is stored in the personal information storage means, a nutritional requirement calculation means for calculating the nutritional requirements of the selected user based on the data stored in the nutritional requirement storage means, and an ingredient information input means for inputting ingredient information. It also includes a menu information extraction means for extracting menu information that can be created from the ingredient information input from the ingredient information input means.

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 proposes a nutritional component display system that includes a server device and a client device (such as a personal computer) connected to a network. This system analyzes and displays the amount of nutritional components for each food ingredient as input by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-68591 A (Page 1, Figure 44) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-106685 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-243412 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-139554 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] In recent years, there has been an increasing need for dietary management at the household and individual level. In a multi-function cooking device, the setting of cooking conditions becomes more complicated as the number of heating means increases. Therefore, if a user can easily obtain information on the ingredients and nutrients of the food items related to the cooking menu when selecting a cooking menu, acquiring cooking condition data (recipe data), and transferring this to the cooking device to cook, it will improve convenience in dietary management for each household or individual. However, the technologies described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 only describe a large-scale (for professional businesses) menu information extraction system and a nutrient content search (information processing) system, and do not take into consideration linking with a combined cooking device in accordance with the specific cooking functions and control capabilities of the cooking device. Therefore, it has been difficult to apply the technologies described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 to a cooking device having multiple heating means or multiple heating sections.

[0012] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a highly convenient cooking system that can accommodate a wide variety of cooking methods by improving user operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The combined cooking device according to the present disclosure is a first heating means for heating an object to be heated; A second heating means for heating the food in the enclosed space; an input operation unit; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; the control device has a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag to perform one cooking operation; When the control device receives a command 1 to select a cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode from the input operation unit, the control device displays a first specific screen for executing the cooperative cooking mode on the display unit, The control device is configured such that when it receives command 2 from the input operation unit while the first specific screen is displayed, it displays on the display unit information on at least one of food ingredients or nutritional ingredients related to a specific dish that can be cooked in the collaborative cooking mode.

[0014] The combined cooking device according to the present disclosure is a first heating means for heating an object to be heated; A second heating means for heating the food in the enclosed space; an input operation unit; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; the control device has a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag to perform one cooking operation; the input operation unit has a voice signal receiving unit serving as a voice input means and input keys serving as a touch input means, When the control device receives a command 1 to select the cooperative cooking mode from either the voice input means or the touch input means, and if a permission condition is met, the control device displays a first specific screen for executing the cooperative cooking mode on the display unit, The control device is configured such that when command 2 is received from the voice signal receiving unit or one of the various input keys while the first specific screen is being displayed, the control device displays on the display unit information on at least one of the food ingredients or nutritional ingredients related to a specific dish that can be cooked in the collaborative cooking mode.

[0015] The combined cooking device according to the present disclosure is a first heating means for heating an object to be heated; A second heating means for heating the food in the enclosed space; an input operation unit; a notification unit having a display unit; a communication unit that receives cooking condition data for executing cooking from an external device; a control device; the control device has a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag to perform one cooking operation; the input operation unit has a voice signal receiving unit serving as a voice input means and a touch input unit, The control device has a heating control unit that controls a heating operation corresponding to the linked cooking mode, and a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data for a specific food via the communication unit, The control device enables the data acquisition unit to acquire the cooking condition data when an acquisition condition is satisfied during the initial standby period, When the control device receives a command 1 to select the cooperative cooking mode from either the voice input means or the touch input unit, if the permission conditions are met, the control device displays a specific cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode as a first specific screen on the display unit, When the control device receives a command 2 from either the voice input means or the touch input unit while the first specific screen is being displayed, the control device displays at least one of information on food ingredients or nutritional ingredients related to the cooking menu on the display unit; The control device is configured such that the acquisition condition is satisfied when the voice input means and the touch input unit are operated within a first limited period.

[0016] The cooking system according to the first disclosure includes: a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the cooking appliance and having a terminal operation unit that accepts user input and a terminal display unit; a cloud server connected to the information processing terminal via a wireless network; It is equipped with the cloud server has a function of transmitting cooking condition data for the heating cooker and display information to be displayed on the terminal display unit in response to a request from the information processing terminal; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting command information input to the terminal operation unit to the cloud server, and a function of displaying the cooking condition data received from the cloud server on the terminal display unit, the information processing terminal has a function of narrowing down food ingredients or nutritional ingredients of a cooking menu that is the subject of the cooking condition data for the specific cooking menu to be transmitted to the cooking appliance from a database held therein; The information processing terminal device is configured to have the function of transmitting the cooking condition data and information indicating the food ingredients or nutritional ingredients of the cooking that is the subject of the data to the heating cooker.

[0017] The cooking system according to the second disclosure includes: a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a terminal operation unit and a terminal display unit; It is equipped with the first server has a function of receiving operation status data of the cooking device from the cooking device, and a function of transmitting display information to be displayed on the terminal display unit regarding the operation of the cooking device to the second server in response to a request A for provision of cooking condition data received from the second server; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting command information inputted to the terminal operation unit to the second server, and a function of displaying the cooking condition data received from the second server on the terminal display unit, the second server has a function of recognizing the content of the command information received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request A identified from the content of the command information to the first server, and a function of transmitting the cooking condition data received from the first server in response to the transmission of the request A to the cooking device; The first server is configured not to transmit the cooking condition data to the cooking device if the cooking device is not in a reception-enabled period based on the operating status data received from the cooking device.

[0018] The combined cooking device according to the present disclosure is a first heating means for heating an object to be heated; A second heating means for heating the food in the enclosed space; an input operation unit; a communication unit that receives cooking condition data for executing cooking from an external information processing terminal; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The control device has a heating control unit that controls heating operations corresponding to a plurality of cooking modes using the first heating means and the second heating means, and a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data for a specific food via the communication unit, After the main power switch is turned on and power is supplied, the control device displays an initial standby screen on the display unit, and during an initial standby period after this point, when automatic connection is made with the information processing terminal and the cooking condition data for a specific cooking mode is transmitted from the information processing terminal, the control device acquires the cooking condition data using the data acquisition unit and determines whether or not a predetermined permission condition is satisfied, and if so, changes the initial standby screen to a specific screen for the cooking mode and displays the contents of the cooking condition data on the specific screen. The control device is configured such that when it receives an ingredient display command from the input operation unit while the contents of the cooking condition data are being displayed, it displays information on at least one of the food ingredients or nutritional ingredients related to a specific cooked item to be cooked using the cooking condition data.

[0019] The cooking system according to the third disclosure includes: a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a display operation unit for receiving input and a function for inputting command contents by voice; It is equipped with the first server has a function of transmitting, to the second server, operation assistance data to be notified by the information processing terminal regarding the operation of the cooking appliance in response to a request A received from the second server; The information processing terminal device has a first function of transmitting the command content input by voice to the second server as voice data, a second function of notifying information on the operation support data received from the second server, a third function of specifying cooking condition data to be acquired, a fourth function of requesting provision of food ingredient data of a food to be cooked that is the subject of the cooking condition data and the cooking condition data, and a fifth function of requesting transmission of the cooking condition data to the cooking appliance, the second server has a function of recognizing the content of the voice data received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request A identified from the content of the voice data to the first server, and a function of transmitting the operation assistance data received from the first server in response to the transmission of the request A to the information processing terminal; The information processing terminal device is configured to display the contents of the cooking condition data and the food ingredient data sent from the first server to the heating cooker, and after displaying the contents, receive a user's command and issue a command to be provided to the heating cooker using the fifth function.

[0020] The cooking system according to the fourth disclosure is a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a display operation unit for receiving input and a function for inputting command contents by voice; It is equipped with the first server has a function of receiving operation status data of the cooking appliance from the cooking appliance, and a function of transmitting, to the second server, operation support data to be notified by the information processing terminal regarding the operation of the cooking appliance in response to a request A received from the second server; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting the command content input by voice to the second server as voice data, a function of notifying the second server of the information on the operation assistance data received from the second server, and a function of requesting the second server to provide food ingredient information of the food to be cooked that is the subject of cooking condition data to be obtained and the cooking condition data, the second server has a function of recognizing the content of the voice data received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request A identified from the content of the voice data to the first server, and a function of transmitting the operation assistance data received from the first server in response to the transmission of the request A to the information processing terminal; The first server is configured to determine, from the operating state data received from the cooker, whether or not the cooker is in a period in which the cooker can acquire the cooking condition data.

[0021] The cooking system according to the fifth disclosure is a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a display operation unit for receiving input and a function for inputting command contents by voice, the first server has a function of receiving operation status data of the cooking device from the cooking device, and a function of transmitting cooking condition data for cooking by the cooking device to the cooking device in response to request B received from the second server; the information processing terminal device transmits the command content input by voice to the second server as voice data, and commands the second server to transmit the cooking condition data and food component data of the food to be cooked that is the subject of the cooking condition data to the heating cooker; the second server has a function of recognizing the command content by the voice data received from the information processing terminal device, and transmitting the request B identified from the command content to the first server; The first server is configured to determine, from the operating status data received from the cooking appliance, whether the cooking appliance is in a period in which it can acquire the cooking condition data, and further transmit the cooking condition data and the food ingredient data to the cooking appliance in response to request B.

[0022] The combined cooking device according to the present disclosure is a microwave heating source that heats food contained in the heating chamber with microwaves; A radiant heat heating means or steam generator that heats the food using a heating principle different from that of the microwave heating source; an input operation unit; a notification unit having a display unit; an integrated control device; the integrated control device has a combined cooking mode in which the microwave heating source and the radiant heat heating means or the steam generator are driven simultaneously or with a time lag to perform one cooking operation; When receiving a command 1 to select a cooking menu of the composite cooking mode from the input operation unit, the integrated control device displays a specific screen for executing the composite cooking mode on the display unit, The integrated control device is configured to display food component data relating to a specific food item that can be cooked in the combined cooking mode while the specific screen is being displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly convenient combined heating cooker that can handle a wide range of heating cooking methods by linking multiple heating means using cooking condition data obtained from outside via a network. In addition, according to the cooking system of the present disclosure, when selecting a cooking menu, information on food ingredients or nutrients can be easily obtained for each cooking item, which can contribute to the selection of an appropriate cooking menu. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram 1 of a heating and cooking system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the cooking system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the cooking system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of an installed state of a cooking device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 7]FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a central display unit and a central operation unit of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 5 is an enlarged plan view of the left display unit, left heating power display unit, and left operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 5 is an enlarged plan view of the right display unit, right heating power display unit, and right operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 5 is an enlarged plan view of the central display unit, central operation unit, and central heating status display unit of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 11] 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an example of operation of the central display unit of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 4; [Figure 14] 5 is a classification table of control menus for the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 15] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage structure of various cooking control menus for the cooperative cooking mode and the combined cooking mode in the cooking device of FIG. 4, and the correspondence between the menus and input keys. FIG. [Figure 16] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in a combined cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 17] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in a cooperative cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 18] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the input operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in a cooperative cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 19] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in the cooperative cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 20] 5 is a table showing a combination cooking menu in a combination cooking mode in the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 21] 21 is an explanatory diagram showing, in time sequence, an operation example 1 of the cooperative preheating cooking mode among the cooperative cooking modes shown in FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 22]21 is an explanatory diagram showing a time series of an operation example 2 of the cooperative preheating cooking mode among the cooperative cooking modes shown in FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 21 is a step explanatory diagram showing the operation of the cooperative cooking mode shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 24] 21 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the combined cooking mode shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 25] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing permission conditions and determination results before transitioning to a combined cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 26] 5 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. [Figure 27] 5 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. [Figure 28] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the initial standby screen of the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 29] 5 is an explanatory diagram of a central display section showing a state before cooking by a first heating means is started in the cooking device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 30] 5 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation before transition to the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 31] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the central display unit and the central operation unit in the cooking device shown in FIG. 4 before acquiring cooking condition data from the outside and transitioning to a cooperative cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the relationship between the cooking steps of the cooperative cooking menu and the operation of the input operation unit in the cooking device shown in FIG. [Figure 33] 5 is a time chart 1 for explaining the entire period in which cooking condition data (recipe data) can be acquired and control operations in the combined cooking mode in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 34] 5 is a time chart 1 for explaining the entire cooking condition data (recipe data) obtainable period and control operation in the composite cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 35]33 is a time chart showing a first modification of the time chart shown in FIG. 32. [Figure 36] 33 is a time chart showing a second modification of the time chart shown in FIG. 32. [Figure 37] 33 is a time chart showing a third modification of the time chart shown in FIG. 32. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of displaying food ingredients and nutritional components before transitioning to heat cooking operation in the combined cooking mode using cooking condition data acquired from an external source. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of an information terminal used in the cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram 1 of an operation when cooking in the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. 39. [Figure 41] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram 2 of an operation when cooking in the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. 39. [Figure 42] 40 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the operation of the central operating section and the central display section in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. 39. FIG. [Figure 43] FIG. 40 is a diagram 1 for explaining the operation of the central operating unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 44] FIG. 40 is a diagram 2 illustrating the operation of the central operating unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 45] FIG. 40 is a diagram 3 for explaining the operation of the central operating unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 46] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram 4 of the operation of the central operating unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 47] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the relationship between the cooking steps of the cooperative cooking menu and the operation of the input operation unit in the cooking device of the cooking system of FIG. 39. [Figure 48] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. 39. [Figure 49] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 50] FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 51] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 52] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram 5 showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 53] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 56] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 57] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 58] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 59] 40 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. 39. [Figure 60] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the display behavior of the central display unit immediately after start-up of the cooking device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the display operation of the central display unit after the start of the cooking device of FIG. 60. [Figure 62] FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing the display operation of the central display unit after the start of the cooking device of FIG. 60. [Figure 63]FIG. 11 is a step explanatory diagram showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data relating to a cooperative cooking mode from an external device in a cooking device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 64] 64 is a flowchart 1 for explaining the control operation of the cooking device of FIG. 63. [Figure 65] 64 is a flowchart 2 for explaining the control operation of the cooking device of FIG. 63. [Figure 66] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the communication terminal device. [Figure 67] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data related to a combined cooking mode in the cooking device 1 according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 68] FIG. 68 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the initial standby screen of the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking device shown in FIG. 67. [Figure 69] FIG. 68 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cooking system using the cooking device shown in FIG. 67. [Figure 70] 68 is a flowchart showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data in the heat cooker 1 shown in FIG. 67. [Figure 71] 68 is a flowchart showing the operation of displaying food ingredients and nutritional ingredients before transitioning to the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode in the cooking appliance 1 shown in FIG. 67. [Figure 72] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 73] FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing, in time series, information exchange between the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 72 and the outside (first server). [Figure 74] FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing, in time series, information exchange between the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 72 and the outside (first server). [Figure 75] FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing, in time series, information exchange between the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 72 and the outside (first server). [Figure 76] FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram 4 showing, in time series, information exchange between the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 72 and the outside (first server). [Figure 77]70 is a flowchart for explaining the overall control operation before the start of cooking operation of the cooking device shown in FIG. 69. [Figure 78] 73 is a time chart showing an example of operation of the cooking device shown in FIG. 72. [Figure 79] 73 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first server in the cooking system shown in FIG. 72. [Figure 80] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 81] FIG. 81 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a portable information display device used in the system of FIG. 80. [Figure 82] FIG. 81 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the communication terminal and the portable information display device side by side in the cooking system of FIG. 80. [Figure 83] FIG. 81 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the communication terminal and the portable information display device side by side in the cooking system of FIG. 80. [Figure 84] 81 is a time chart showing an example of the operation of the cooking system shown in FIG. 80. [Figure 85] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 86] FIG. 86 is an explanatory diagram showing, in time series, information exchange between a cooking appliance and an external device (first server) that constitute the cooking system of FIG. 85. [Figure 87] FIG. 87 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the initial standby screen of the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking device shown in FIG. 86. [Figure 88] 86 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third server used in the cooking system of FIG. 85. [Figure 89] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main control-related parts of a built-in combination heating cooker according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 90] FIG. 89 is a block diagram 2 showing the main control-related parts of the cooking device of FIG. [Figure 91] 89. FIG. 90 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the integrated control device in the cooking device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The combined cooking device and cooking system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating directions (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) are used to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes only. In addition, in each drawing, items with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this applies throughout the entire specification.

[0026] Furthermore, in the following description, a composite cooking device equipped with a plurality of types of heating means will be simply referred to as a "cooking device."

[0027] In the following explanation, when we say "a heated object placed on the top plate," it means both cases where a heated object such as a pot is placed directly on the top surface of the top plate 3 described below and heated, and cases where a heated object is placed on a support member such as a trivet arranged above the top plate, such as a gas burner, and heated.

[0028] In this first embodiment, the "second heating means" HM2 refers to a heat source for heating food placed inside the heating chamber 6, which will be described later. The second heating means may be a steam generator (boiler) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam).

[0029] In the first embodiment, a magnetron is used as the microwave heating source, but there is no limitation on the microwave oscillation principle or method, such as a microwave oscillator, etc. Also, a plurality of heating sources may be provided.

[0030] In this first embodiment, the "third heating means" HM3 is called "third" to indicate the difference from the second heating means HM2, but does not imply a superiority or inferiority relationship. In addition, in embodiment 1, a heat source using a radiant electric heat source (sheath heater, mica heater, carbon heater, ceramic heater, infrared heater, radiant heater, etc.) is used, but a heat source that generates heat in other forms or methods may also be used.

[0031] The third heating means HM3 is capable of cooking in one heating chamber 6. It may be configured to use multiple heating sources with different heating principles in combination, such as a heating source composed of an electric heater and a gas combustor (burner). An induction heating source may also be used as the heating source for heating the heating chamber 6. A steam generator (boiler) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam) may also be used.

[0032] Furthermore, the third heating means may be either a heat source that heats the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside, or a heat source that is installed in the internal space of the heating chamber 6 and heats the atmosphere in the internal space to a high temperature. In addition, a heat-generating element that becomes hot by induction heating may be placed in the heating chamber, and this heat-generating element may heat the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside, or may heat the air inside the heating chamber 6.

[0033] A typical example of the induction heating coil (IH coil) referred to in this first embodiment is one made by bundling about 30 thin copper or aluminum wires of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, twisting several of these bundles together, and winding them into a spiral. Another example is one made by winding about 1,000 to 1,500 wires of about 0.05 mm. Another proposal is to use a ring-shaped conductor made of a flat conductive material. Any of these forms corresponds to the "IH coil" which is the main part of the induction heating source 9.

[0034] In this embodiment 1, "coordinated cooking" refers to cooking using two or more heating sources that heat one item (including food, meat, vegetables, etc.) in different locations and whose heating operation conditions can be set independently.

[0035] The "coordinated cooking" mentioned above refers to the use of multiple heating means with a time lag. For example, in the process of completing a single cooking step, after preheating with a microwave heating source, the food to be cooked is moved to another location, and then heated with an induction coil at the new location to complete the cooking, which is a type of "coordinated cooking" as defined here.

[0036] Another type of "cooperative cooking" is to heat the food to be cooked inside the heating chamber 6 using a gas burner (burner), and then move the food to the top plate 3 and heat it using the gas burner (burner) or induction heating source 9 to improve the cooking quality.

[0037] Embodiment 1 (1. Configuration of the cooking system) The first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG. The cooking system of the present embodiment 1 is configured to include a cooking appliance 1 and a smartphone 200 (also referred to as a "communication terminal") that has a function of performing wireless communication with the cooking appliance 1. Note that instead of the smartphone 200, a tablet terminal or a personal computer with a communication function may also be used. These devices and the smartphone 200 are collectively referred to as an "information processing terminal" 200.

[0038] The smartphone 200 performs wireless communication using a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) with a wireless router 340 (not shown) installed in a house (not shown) in which the cooking appliance 1 is used.

[0039] The cooking appliance 1 can acquire at least the cooking condition data CD2 through wireless communication 400 with the smartphone 200. The cooking condition data CD2 will be described later. The smartphone 200 performs wireless communication 400 with the cooking appliance 1 using a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0040] The smartphone 200 accesses the cloud server 300 in an external space via the wireless router 340 (not shown) and a network 201 such as the Internet. The cloud server 300 has at least one recipe information providing server 301.

[0041] The recipe information providing server 301 is equipped with a recipe DB (database) 302 that stores cooking condition data (recipe data) for performing various cooking methods, and the smartphone 200 accesses a recipe providing site operated by the recipe information providing server 301 and acquires (downloads) various cooking condition data CD1 from the recipe DB 302.

[0042] The cooking condition data CD1 and CD2 are also called recipe data. As will be explained in detail later, the cooking condition data CD1 and CD2 contain commands (command data) that specify heating means and control conditions (including, but not limited to, at least one of heat, heating time, temperature, etc.) so that a specific food can be cooked in the cooking appliance 1.

[0043] The cooking device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first heating means HM1 arranged below a top plate 3 (described in Figure 4 and subsequent figures) covering the upper surface of the cooking device 1, a second heating means HM2 that supplies microwaves to a heating chamber 6 (see Figure 5) formed inside the cooking device 1, and a third heating means HM3 that is located inside or outside the heating chamber 6 and raises the temperature of the internal space of the heating chamber 6 to heat it.

[0044] If the upper surface of the top plate 3 is defined as a "first location," then induction heating means is used as the first heating means HM1 to heat an object to be heated (a magnetic metal pot) placed in this first location. Alternatively, a gas combustion device equipped with a gas burner can be used as the first heating means HM1.

[0045] If a closed space located away from the first place is defined as a "second place," then the inside of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5) is the second place.

[0046] The cooking device 1 has a function of executing an "independent cooking mode" KM1 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven independently (independently).

[0047] The cooking appliance 1 has a function of executing a "combined cooking mode" KM2, which is a method of cooking one food item by simultaneously driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, or by driving one of them first and then automatically driving the other. Even when the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven simultaneously, whether the heating ends at the same time or at different times is one operation pattern belonging to the "combined cooking mode" KM2.

[0048] The "combined cooking mode" KM2 has at least the following patterns: a pattern in which the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven simultaneously from the beginning (RG control mode 1), a pattern in which the third heating means HM3 starts to be driven after the second heating means HM2 (RG control mode 2), and a pattern in which the third heating means HM3 is driven first and then automatically switched to the second heating means HM3 (RG control mode 3). In these RG control modes 1 to 3, switching between the heating means is automatically performed when cooking begins in the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5).

[0049] Unlike the linked cooking mode KM3, the "composite cooking mode" KM2 does not have a "cooking menu" corresponding to a specific food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak). In other words, it provides a "control menu" for each pattern for driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3.

[0050] For example, one of the "control menus" is the "RG control mode 1." In the RG control mode (RG composite cooking mode), various foods can be cooked. One of the "control menus," for example, the "RG control mode 1," is controlled by cooking condition data that defines the control mode, but is not set for each specific food to be cooked.

[0051] In other words, the operation pattern in which two or more heating sources (the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3) are operated in a predetermined sequence is the composite cooking mode KM2 having multiple "control menus."

[0052] In contrast to this, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 with a cooperative cooking menu applies cooking condition data (corresponding to specific foods) to heat and cook foods placed inside the heating chamber 6 and above the top plate 3 in a predetermined order. That is, the contents of the cooking condition data are different between the composite cooking mode KM2 and the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0053] In the following description, when a type of control mode, such as a drive pattern of a heat source, is indicated, it is called a "control menu." For example, "thawing" is one of the control modes. On the other hand, when specifying the food to be cooked, the name of the dish, etc., it is called a "cooking menu." For example, "hamburger steak" is one of the cooking menus.

[0054] The cooking appliance 1 has a function of executing a "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time difference determined depending on the operation of the user.

[0055] The "combined cooking mode" KM3 has a pattern in which cooking step 1 is performed by the first heating means HM1, and a pattern in which cooking step 1 is performed by the second heating means HM2. For example, to move from cooking step 1 by the first heating means HM1 to cooking step 2, the food to be cooked is moved into the heating chamber 6, and then the second heating means HM2 starts to be driven, so there is a rest period between cooking step 1 and cooking step 2 during which no heating operation is performed. This rest period will be explained with reference to Figures 32 to 36.

[0056] In this "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, the control condition data (recipe data) is prepared for each specific food to be cooked (for example, hamburger steak, roast beef, or gratin). The control condition data (recipe data) specifies the heating means to be used, the order in which the heating means are driven, and the control conditions of the heating means (including at least one of heating power, heating time, temperature, etc.).

[0057] The control condition data (recipe data) is stored in both the cooking appliance 1 and the recipe DB 302. The control condition data (recipe data) stored in the recipe DB and the cooking appliance 1 do not need to be the same. For example, the recipe DB 302 may be configured such that control condition data for a new cooperative cooking mode KM3 is sequentially added, and the control condition data (recipe data) for a composite cooking menu is sequentially accumulated.

[0058] When the cooking appliance 1 acquires the cooking condition data for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 from the smartphone 200, the data is for one cooking menu unit selected by the user on the smartphone 200. This is not limited to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, but is also common to the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode" KM1.

[0059] As described above, the smartphone 200 requests the recipe information providing server 301 to provide a recipe for a desired food to be cooked, and downloads the cooking condition data CD1 corresponding to the desired recipe.

[0060] The smartphone 200 can transmit cooking condition data CD2 corresponding to the recipe acquired from the recipe information providing server 301 to the cooker 1. To use this recipe acquisition function, the user of the cooking appliance 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and installs an application for selecting recipes (hereinafter referred to as recipe selection app) on the smartphone 200.

[0061] When the user installs the recipe selection app, the user performs an operation to register identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance as an initial setting. This registration enables the user to obtain cooking condition data corresponding to the rated specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capacity of each of the heating means HM1 to HM3) from the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301).

[0062] Furthermore, the user uses the recipe selection app to pair the smartphone 200 with the cooking appliance 1, thereby establishing wireless communication 400 between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1. Note that this wireless communication may use a near field communication (NFC) method.

[0063] Next, we will explain Figure 2. The cooking system in Figure 2 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in the role of the smartphone 200. Another difference is that it is the cooker 1, not the smartphone 200, that accesses the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and obtains an application for selecting a recipe (referred to as a "recipe selection app").

[0064] The smartphone 200 and the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) are connected via a network 202 such as the Internet. The recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and the cooker 1 are connected via a network 203 such as an internet line. A wireless router (not shown) may be interposed between the smartphone 200 and the cloud server 300. Similarly, a wireless router 340 (not shown) may be interposed between the cooker 1 and the cloud server 300.

[0065] 2, cooking condition data CD3 (corresponding to a recipe) created by the user can be sent to the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) using smartphone 200, temporarily stored in the recipe DB 302, and provided to cooker 1. In other words, if smartphone 200 is located far away from the house in which cooker 1 is installed (for example, while away from home), cooking condition data CD3 of smartphone 200 can be conveniently stored in recipe information providing server 301.

[0066] The cooking appliance 1 downloads cooking condition data CD4 corresponding to a specific recipe stored in the recipe information providing server 301 via the network 203 between the cooking appliance 1 and the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301). In this case, the cooking condition data CD4 may be the cooking condition data CD2 provided by the smartphone 200.

[0067] In order to use the function of (directly) obtaining information from such recipe data (cooking condition data), the user of the cooking appliance 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and installs in advance an application for selecting a recipe (hereinafter referred to as a "recipe selection application") on the cooking appliance 1. It is convenient if this installation can be easily performed on the cooking appliance 1 as one menu of the "function mode" described later.

[0068] When the user installs the recipe selection app, the user performs an operation to register identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance as an initial setting. This registration allows the user to obtain cooking condition data corresponding to the specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capacity of each of the heating means HM1 to HM3) from the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301).

[0069] In the heating and cooking system of Figure 2, the user can obtain cooking condition data CD1 (corresponding to a recipe) as described in Figure 1, display and check the contents of the cooking condition data CD1 on the display screen of the smartphone 200, and then modify part of the cooking condition data CD1 as cooking condition data CD3 and store it in the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) as described in Figure 2.

[0070] In the cooking system shown in Figure 1, when the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 are located close to each other, cooking condition data CD2 can be provided from the smartphone 200 to the cooking appliance 1. However, for example, when the smartphone 200 is taken to a remote outdoor location, the cooking appliance 1 cannot directly acquire the cooking condition data CD2. In contrast, in the cooking system shown in Figure 2, regardless of the location of the smartphone 200, as long as the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) can be accessed, the cooking condition data CD4 can be downloaded and used for cooking.

[0071] Next, FIG. 3 will be described. The cooking system shown in FIG. 3 differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in the role of the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301). In the cooking system of FIG. 3, the cooker 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and downloads cooking condition data CD6.

[0072] In addition, in the cooking system of FIG. 3, the cooker 1 can access a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and provide cooking condition data CD7. For example, if cooking is actually performed and the cooking is satisfactory, after the cooking, the cooking condition data remaining in the storage unit of the cooker 1 can be provided to the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) as improved cooking condition data CD7. Such favorite recipes of the user can be registered (stored) in the recipe information providing server 301 as "favorite recipes." Note that this system differs from the cooking system in FIG. 1 in that it is the cooker 1 that acquires the "recipe selection app."

[0073] The cooking appliance 1 and the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) are connected via networks 204 and 205 such as the Internet. A wireless router 340 (not shown) may be interposed between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300. Similarly, a wireless router 340 (not shown) may be interposed between the networks 204, 205 between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300. A wireless router (not shown) may also be interposed between the smartphone 200 and the cloud server 300.

[0074] 3, a user can obtain cooking condition data CD6 directly from a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) using cooker 1. Therefore, even if the user does not own smartphone 200, the user can obtain cooking condition data CD6 for a desired recipe from the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) every time cooking is performed. Furthermore, as described above, if the cooking is actually performed and the cooking is satisfactory, the cooking condition data CD7 can be provided to the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) after the cooking is performed as improved cooking condition data CD7. Therefore, from the next time onwards, the cooking condition data CD7 can be called up from the cooking appliance 1 and used for cooking, which is convenient.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the cooking condition data may be described as being "acquired" or "restricted from being acquired." This point will be explained below. When we say "restricting acquisition," it does not mean that cooking condition data (specific information constituting all or part of it) cannot enter the cooking appliance 1 from outside via the communication unit 51, which will be described later. In the cooking appliance 1, the communication unit 51 first receives cooking condition data from outside and temporarily stores it in an appropriate storage area in the storage device 41. At that time, the content of the data (attributes, presence or absence of identification information 167, etc.) is analyzed. However, if the data was sent from outside during the "period during which acquisition is restricted" as described above, it will not be used in the subsequent execution of the cooking menu (i.e., cooking process), and will be automatically deleted within a short period of time (at least when the main power switch 20 is turned off).

[0076] (2. Configuration of the cooking device) Next, the configuration of the cooking device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, cooking appliance 1 is a built-in IH cooking heater that is incorporated into kitchen furniture 600 that has a cooking table on top. Cooking appliance 1 has a main body 2 and a top plate 3 that is installed on main body 2. Top plate 3 is exposed above a kitchen countertop that forms the top surface of kitchen furniture 600.

[0077] The top plate 3 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame attached around the periphery of the glass plate. Three heating ports 4, namely, a left heating port 4L, a right heating port 4R, and a center heating port 4C, are provided on the upper surface of the top plate 3.

[0078] The left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C indicate areas where metal cooking containers such as pots or frying pans (also referred to as "heated objects" for the first heating means HM1) are placed. Guide marks (not shown) that serve as guides for placing the heated objects on the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C are printed on the upper surface of the top plate 3.

[0079] An exhaust port cover 5 is provided on the far side (rear side) of the top plate 3. The exhaust port cover 5 is made of a punched metal or lattice-shaped metal member with numerous small through-holes, and is breathable throughout with little air resistance. Exhaust air released from inside the cooking appliance 1 passes through the exhaust port cover 5 and exits to the outside of the cooking appliance 1.

[0080] A door (heating door) 7 is provided on the front of the main body 2 of the cooking appliance 1, for opening and closing the front of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5) arranged inside the main body 2. The door 7 is provided with a handle 8 for opening and closing the door.

[0081] Fig. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device 1 according to embodiment 1 as seen from the side. As shown in Fig. 5, an induction heating coil 9L (hereinafter referred to as "left IH coil") serving as left induction heating means is provided below the left heating port 4L.

[0082] Similarly, an induction heating coil 9R (hereinafter referred to as the "right IH coil") serving as a right induction heating means is provided below the right heating port 4R, and an induction heating coil 9C (hereinafter referred to as the "central IH coil") serving as a central induction heating means is provided below the central heating port 4C.

[0083] These IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R are circular heating coils made of wound thin conductors such as copper or aluminum wire, and generate a high-frequency magnetic field when a high-frequency current is supplied to them, which inductively heats the cooking vessels (objects to be heated) placed over the left heating port 4L, right heating port 4R, and center heating port 4C.

[0084] The heating means including the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R and their drive circuits (high-frequency power supply circuits such as inverter circuits, not shown) may be referred to as the induction heating source 9 or first heating means HM1. In the following description, the term "first heating means" HM1 will be used unless there is a particular contradiction.

[0085] A temperature sensor group 30 (not shown) consisting of multiple temperature sensors is mounted near the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R to detect the temperatures of the top plate 3 and cooking vessel (heated object). One temperature sensor 30A (not shown) constitutes one sensor in the temperature sensor group 30 shown in FIG.

[0086] The heating chamber 6 is provided inside the main body 2 and below the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R. The heating chamber 6 is surrounded by a metal wall such as stainless steel, and is a space for heating the food (foodstuffs, ingredients) contained within the heating chamber 6.

[0087] The food to be cooked may be placed on a heat-resistant plastic container, a porcelain or heat-resistant glass dish, or may be placed inside a container and placed in the heating chamber 6. In such cases, the dish or container may be called a "heated container." However, because the container is not induction-heated by the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R, even if it is placed on the heating port 4 of the top plate 3, it is not called an "food to be heated" for the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R.

[0088] An opening is formed in the front of the heating chamber 6 for putting in and taking out the food to be cooked. The opening in the front of the heating chamber 6 is covered by a door 7 that can be opened and closed freely. The door 7 is supported by the main body 2 so as to be rotatable via a hinge and an arm (not shown). This allows the door 7 to open forward to a horizontal position with its lower end as a fulcrum (center of rotation). The door 7 may be pulled forward integrally with a support member (a structure such as a shelf, not shown) that supports the container to be heated from below, by a slide rail (not shown).

[0089] Door 7 is provided with an open / close detector 10 for detecting whether door 7 is open or closed. Open / close detector 10 is, for example, a microswitch or an infrared sensor. A microwave oscillator 11 is provided behind heating chamber 6 to heat the food placed in heating chamber 6. Microwave oscillator 11 is, for example, made up of a magnetron, and irradiates microwaves into heating chamber 6 to heat the food placed in the heating chamber, i.e., perform so-called range heating.

[0090] The heating means including the microwave oscillator 11 and its drive circuit (which refers to a high frequency power supply circuit such as an inverter circuit, not shown) may be called second heating means HM2.

[0091] Additionally, upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b are provided in heating chamber 6 to heat the food from above and below. Upper radiant heat heating means 12a is located on the outer or inner ceiling wall surface of heating chamber 6, and lower radiant heat heating means 12b is located on the inner or outer wall surface of heating chamber 6, and both are sheath heaters.

[0092] Other types of radiant heat heating means (for example, a mica heater or a carbon heater) may be installed outside the heating chamber 6. Figure 5 shows an example in which the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are both installed in close contact with the outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6.

[0093] The heating means including the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b and their drive circuits (not shown) may be referred to as the third heating means HM3. The upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b may be collectively referred to as the "radiant heat heating means," in which case the reference numeral "12" is used.

[0094] Additionally, heating chamber 6 is provided with infrared sensor 13, a non-contact temperature sensor, for detecting the temperature of the food inside heating chamber 6 without contact. The temperature range detected by infrared sensor 13 is set to, for example, -20°C to 100°C. This allows the degree of heating of the food to be detected accurately in real time, for example, in 1°C increments. Infrared sensor 13 also constitutes one sensor in the group of temperature sensors 30 shown in FIG. 11.

[0095] The heating chamber 6 is also provided with a contact temperature sensor (for example, a thermistor sensor) 14, which is an interior temperature sensor that detects the atmospheric temperature inside the heating chamber 6 or the wall temperature of the heating chamber 6.

[0096] The thermistor sensor 14 detects temperature by detecting changes in electrical resistance, and therefore the upper limit of the temperature that can be detected is approximately 250° C. This thermistor sensor 14 also constitutes one sensor in the group of temperature sensors 30 shown in Fig. 10. Note that this thermistor sensor 14 may be installed in two locations, near the bottom and near the ceiling of the heating chamber 6, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0097] Fig. 6 is a top view of the cooking appliance 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 6, a left operating unit 15L, a central operating unit 15M, and a right operating unit 15R are provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 3 of the cooking appliance 1. These three operating units may be collectively referred to as "input operating units," and in that case the reference numeral 15 is used.

[0098] At the rear (rear side) of the left operating unit 15L, the central operating unit 15M and the right operating unit 15R, there are provided a left heating power display unit 17L, a central display unit 16M and a right heating power display unit 17R, a left display unit 16L and a right display unit 16R and a central heating status display unit 17M.

[0099] The left display unit 16L, the center display unit 16M, and the right display unit 16R may be collectively referred to as the "display unit," in which case the reference numeral 16 is used. The center display unit 16M has a horizontally long liquid crystal display screen.

[0100] The left heating power display unit 17L and the right heating power display unit 17R display the heating power level using light-emitting elements (LEDs, etc.), and do not have a display screen.

[0101] The left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R, and the center heating status display unit 17M may be collectively referred to as the "heat power display units," in which case the reference numeral 17 is used.

[0102] Also, adjacent to the right operation unit 15R is provided an operation button (key) 20A for a main power switch 20 (see FIG. 11). The main power switch 20 turns on or off the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1. The button (key) that is pressed to turn the power on or off is the operation button 20A.

[0103] When the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1 is OFF, pressing the operation button 20A for a few seconds, for example, turns the main power supply ON. When the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1 is ON, pressing the operation button 20A for a few seconds, for example, turns the main power supply OFF.

[0104] Next, FIG. 7 will be described. 7, an input key 180 for selecting a voice input is arranged in a central operation section 15M of the input operation section 15. This input key 180 may be a mechanical switch, or may be an input key of a touch-type input switch like input keys 153M to 159M described later.

[0105] When the input key 180 is pressed, the "voice input combined mode" is activated from that moment, and when a voice signal is received from the voice signal receiving unit 56 described in FIG. 12, the voice signal analyzing unit 58 analyzes the content of the voice one by one and outputs the analysis results to the heating control unit 43.

[0106] 21M is an individual light emitting unit that emits light when the input function of the input key 180 is enabled, and continues to emit light until the input function is disabled.

[0107] In the central operation section 15M, an input key 151KP for setting functions is arranged at a position adjacent to the left of the input key 153M.

[0108] In this embodiment 1, the input mode in which the input key 180 for selecting the voice input is operated and the cooking appliance 1 is controlled by using the voice input in combination with a touch input mode (to be described later) is called a "voice input combined mode" VM. For this reason, the input key 180 may be called a "voice input combined mode selection unit" VMC.

[0109] In this first embodiment, an input mode in which the user controls the cooking appliance 1 by pressing with a fingertip or the like (including light contact) is called a "touch input mode" TM. For this reason, various input keys 151M to 159M, 151R to 155R, and 151L to 155L, which will be described later, may be called a "touch input mode selection unit" TMC. It should be noted that not only touch input keys that utilize capacitance changes, but also input keys that use push-button type mechanical switches are a type of touch input mode selection unit TMC.

[0110] 8 is an enlarged view of left display unit 16L, left heating power display unit 17L, and left operation unit 15L according to embodiment 1. Left display unit 16L displays information related to cooking using left heating port 4L, and is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display.

[0111] The left display unit 16L displays the set time for timer cooking for the heated object placed on the left heating port 4L, the elapsed time since the heating operation at the left heating port 4L started, or the remaining time until the timer set time ends.

[0112] When preheat cooking is selected for the left heating port 4L, the left display unit 16L displays the automatically set temperature (default temperature) or the current temperature. The automatically set temperature (default temperature) refers to the target temperature of the bottom of an object to be heated (e.g., a metal pot) when the object is heated using the left heating port 4L. The default temperature can be changed by the user within a certain range.

[0113] The left heating power display unit 17L is composed of multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) arranged in a horizontal line and displays the heating power of the left heating port 4L in multiple stages. The left heating power display unit 17L indicates the heating power by switching the lighting state (on, off, blinking, etc.) of the multiple LEDs or by switching the lighting color. This allows the user to be notified of the heating power in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0114] The left operation section 15L is used to input operations related to cooking using the left heating port 4L. 8, the left operation unit 15L has five input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. These input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L are capacitance-type touch sensors (touch switches) that can input by utilizing a change in capacitance when the user lightly touches them with a finger or the like, for example.

[0115] Light-emitting units 21L are provided corresponding to the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. The light-emitting units 21L are composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements (LEDs), and emit light in response to the operation of the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. Note that two adjacent input keys 154L and 155L share one light-emitting unit 21L because they perform the same function of increasing or decreasing the flame power.

[0116] The input key 151L is a key that is pressed when selecting timer cooking for the left heating port 4L. Timer cooking is a cooking method in which the user sets the cooking time and the heating operation is performed only for the set time.

[0117] The input key 152L is a key that is pressed when selecting a control menu to be implemented by the left heating port 4L. Each time the input key 152L is pressed, one of multiple control menus can be selected. The "control menu" referred to here is, for example, boiling water, stewing, frying (automatic cooking), etc. The operating time, heat power, operating pattern, etc. of the left heating port 4L differs for each control menu.

[0118] The control menu for using the left heating port 4L and the right heating port 4R by operating the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R without operating the central operation unit 15M is the control menu for the "single cooking mode" KM1, which uses induction heating only. The "single cooking mode" KM1 will be explained later.

[0119] The input key 153L is a key that is pressed to start or stop cooking using the left heating port 4L. That is, pressing the input key 153L drives the left IH coil 9L, which is located below the left heating port 4L. If the input key 153L is pressed again while the left IH coil 9L is being driven, the drive of the left IH coil 9L is stopped, and the induction heating operation is immediately stopped.

[0120] The input keys 154L and 155L are keys that are pressed to specify the heat level during heating cooking at the left heating port 4L. Pressing the input key 154L on the left decreases the heat level by one level. Conversely, pressing the input key 155L on the right increases the heat level by one level. The heat level during induction heating cooking at the left heating port 4L has nine levels, ranging from the minimum rated heat level (heat level 1: 150W) to the maximum rated heat level (heat level 9: 3200W).

[0121] 9 is an enlarged view of right display unit 16R, right heating power display unit 17R, and right operation unit 15R according to embodiment 1. Right display unit 16R displays information related to cooking using right heating port 4R and is implemented, for example, by a liquid crystal display. The information related to cooking using right heating port 4R displayed on right display unit 16R is the same as the information related to cooking using left heating port 4L.

[0122] The right heating power display unit 17R is composed of multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) and displays the heating power of the right heating port 4R in multiple stages. Like the left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R indicates the heating power by switching the lighting state (on, off, blinking, etc.) of the multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) or by switching the lighting color.

[0123] The right operation unit 15R is used to input operations related to cooking using the right heating port 4R. As shown in Fig. 9, the right operation unit 15R includes five input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R and 155R.

[0124] The input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R and 155R are touch keys of a capacitance type that can perform input by utilizing a change in capacitance when the user lightly touches the keys with a finger or the like.

[0125] A light emitting unit 21R is provided corresponding to each of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R. The light emitting unit 21R is a light emitting element (LED), and the light emitting unit 21R corresponding to each of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R lights up in response to the operation of the input keys. However, two adjacent input keys 154R and 155R share one light emitting unit 21R because they perform the same function of increasing or decreasing the flame power.

[0126] The input key 151R is a key that is pressed when selecting timer cooking for the right heating port 4R. The input key 152R is a key that is pressed when selecting a control menu to be performed for the right heating port 4R.

[0127] Input key 153R is a key that is pressed to start or stop cooking using the right heating port 4R. Input keys 154R and 154R are keys that are pressed to specify the heat level during cooking using the right heating port 4R. Pressing left input key 154R decreases the heat level by one level. Conversely, pressing right input key 155R increases the heat level by one level. The heat level during induction cooking using the right heating port 4R has nine levels, ranging from the minimum rated heat level (heat level 1) of 150W to the maximum rated heat level (heat level 9) of 3200W.

[0128] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of central display unit 16M, central operation unit 15M, and central heating status display unit 17M according to the first embodiment.

[0129] The central display unit 16M is configured as a liquid crystal display and displays information and warnings about the entire cooking appliance 1. The display screen of the central display unit 16M displays the selection result of the induction heating means (first heating means) HM1, the microwave heating means (second heating means) HM2, and the radiant heat heating means (third heating means) HM3, the operating status of each heating means, and caution or warning information regarding cooking using each heating means.

[0130] The central display unit 16M is a single LCD display in terms of hardware, but as shown in Figure 10, it has three display areas: a first display area 22 on the left, a second display area 23 in the center of the left and right, and a third display area 24 on the right, and it is possible to display different things in each display area.

[0131] In addition, the three display areas 22 to 24 may be linked together as a single (large-area) display area depending on the display situation, and may display a single purpose. Note that, hereinafter, the first display area 22 will be referred to as the first area 22, the second display area 23 as the second area 23, and the third display area 24 as the third area 24.

[0132] The central heating status display unit 17M is divided into two levels in the front-to-back direction, and the lower level (front side) is equipped with a microwave light-emitting element (LED) 310 located behind the microwave character display unit, a grill light-emitting element (LED) 311 located behind the grill character display unit, an oven light-emitting element (LED) 312 located behind the oven character display unit, and a central IH light-emitting element (LED) 313 located behind the central IH character display unit.

[0133] On the upper row (rear side) are warning letters saying "Caution: High temperature" and a group of high temperature warning light emitting diodes (LEDs) 314 arranged in front and below a diagram that schematically represents the heating chamber 6 and the three heating outlets 4L, 4C, and 4R.

[0134] The high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) group 314 is made up of a heating chamber high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314a and an IH high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314b arranged side by side.

[0135] The heating chamber high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314a lights up when the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is high, for example, 50° C. or higher. The IH high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314b lights up when any of the left IH coil 9L, right IH coil 9R, and center IH coil 9C is in operation or when the temperature of the top plate 3 is high, for example, 50° C. or higher.

[0136] Central operation unit 15M is used to input operations mainly related to cooking in heating chamber 6 and cooking using central heating port 4C. As shown in FIG. 10, the central operation unit 15M includes nine input keys 151M, 152M, 153M, 154M, 155M, 156M, 157M, 158M, and 159M, and a function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 7).

[0137] The nine input keys 151M to 159M are capacitive touch keys. In addition, light emitting units 21M are provided near each of the input keys 151M to 159M.

[0138] The function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 7) is located on the leftmost side of the central operation unit 15M. This function setting key 151KP is used to set various operations, displays, etc. of the entire cooking appliance 1 as desired by the user.

[0139] When the function setting key 151KP is pressed, the control device 40, which will be described later, switches to a "function mode," and displays the following "function setting menu" on the display screen of the central display unit 16M. (1) Child lock setting (setting to disable operation of various input keys). (2) Ventilation fan linkage mode setting. (3) Cleaning guide setting (setting the automatic notification function for when to clean the heating chamber 6 and exhaust vent cover 5). (4) Peak cut setting (maximum power consumption can be selected from one of four levels: 5700W, 5000W, 4800W, and 4000W). (5) Audio guide audio settings. (6) Audio guide volume setting. (7) Settings to prevent forgetting to remove food, cooking utensils, etc. from the heating chamber 6 (whether or not to issue an alarm on the audio notification unit 50 and central display unit 16M). (8) HEMS registration settings (settings related to the power usage restriction function of the home power control device). (9) Time unit setting for timer cooking (change from 1 minute to 5 or 30 minutes). (10) Switching between beginner mode and normal (expert) mode. (11) Setting the type (range) of inventory information to be acquired from an external device (refrigerator 800: not shown). (12) Setting the display priority (specific cooking menu to be displayed as default, identification information 167) of each cooking menu (for example, "hamburger steak") in the collaborative cooking mode KM3. (13) Setting the display priority (the specific control menu to be displayed by default) of each control menu of the combined cooking mode KM2 (for example, "Grill in the microwave" or "Pre-boil leafy vegetables"). (14) Setting of the cooking mode to be automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned “ON” (such as the display priority between the linked cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2). (15) A setting for preventing the automatic display of additional information 165 and 166 (see FIG. 16) described later and a setting for preventing the audio notification unit 50 from notifying the additional information 165 and 166 by audio. (16) When individual cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 are displayed on the central display unit 16M, the ingredients and nutritional components of the target food item (food) are displayed individually each time. Note that either the food ingredients or the nutrients or both may be displayed, but in this embodiment 1, input key 158M is used as a display command key for food ingredients, and input key 159M is used as a display command key for nutritional components. When either input key 158M or 159M is operated within a specified period, or when voice input combined mode is set and a command is given by voice, food ingredients or nutritional information is displayed. In other words, the information is not always displayed together with cooking menu identification information 167 (described later) but is displayed in response to user operation (including voice). Details will be explained in Figure 19. (17) When selecting individual cooking menus in the collaborative cooking mode KM3, cooking menu candidates are searched for based on the ingredients and nutritional information of the food and displayed on the central display 16M. In this case, the user can search by voice by pressing the input key 180 to switch to the "voice input combined mode." Details will be explained in Figure 19. (18) Setting the display priority of each cooking menu in the collaborative cooking mode KM3. Regarding the setting of specific cooking menus to be displayed by default, either the food ingredients or the nutritional components can be set as the top priority item for display. By setting this, for example, cooking menus can be displayed in ascending order of energy content (calorie value) among nutritional components, as shown in Figure 19. Alternatively, cooking menus can be displayed in descending order of the amount of "iron" as a nutritional component.

[0140] As explained above, when the function setting key 151KP is pressed to select the "function setting mode," it is possible to add the display of food ingredients or nutritional ingredients, and it is also possible to cancel the setting to display once it has been made in the function setting mode. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the information, range, and display method to be set can be selected according to the user's wishes.

[0141] The "beginner mode" is an optional function for users who are unfamiliar with using the cooking appliance 1, and when the beginner mode is set, the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 becomes more detailed and thorough. Also, the voice guidance for input operations in the input operation unit 15 increases, and the amount of information displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases.

[0142] When the beginner mode is set, particularly in the case of cooking in the combined cooking mode KM2 and the linked cooking mode KM3, the amount of reference information (including, for example, additional information 165 and 166 described later) displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases in cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, or the content of the audio guidance in the audio notification unit 50 increases. This enhances the function of supporting the user's input operations.

[0143] In addition, in conjunction with switching from the "beginner mode" to the "normal (expert) mode", the content of the voice guidance from the voice notification unit 50 may be automatically set to not change.

[0144] When the main power switch 20 (described later) is turned "ON" and the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened, the cooking mode setting automatically displayed on the central display 16M is either the linked cooking mode KM3 or the combined cooking mode KM2. Because both the linked cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2 use the same central display 16M, the user can set which of the two modes to prioritize. This will be explained in detail later.

[0145] In the first embodiment, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 exceptionally includes several control menus (for example, the food to be cooked, "cooked rice") of the single cooking mode KM1 using the central IH coil 9M.

[0146] When the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", the control device 40 detects that the door 7 has been opened. There is a function that assumes that the user will be cooking using the heating chamber 6, and automatically displays either the first specific screen 16M1 for the linked cooking mode KM3 or the second specific screen 16M2 for the combined cooking mode KM2 on the central display unit 16M. The central display section 16M displays a standby initial screen 16MH (described later) immediately after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON." After that, the second specific screen 16M2 is automatically displayed immediately after the door 7 is opened.

[0147] After the "Function Setting Menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M, by "long pressing" (hereinafter referred to as "long pressing") one specific input key (e.g., 154M) other than the function setting key 151KP, one setting menu from the "Function Setting Menu" can be selected and subsequently changed to the desired setting content.

[0148] Alternatively, if two specific input keys other than the function setting key 151KP are simultaneously "pressed and held," one of the setting menus from the "function setting menu" described above can be called up and the desired setting can be changed.

[0149] The "long press" refers to a state where the button is pressed continuously for 5 seconds or more, for example. The control device 40 determines whether or not the state is a "long press" by comparing the timing of the touch input on the central operation unit 15M with a reference value. That is, the timing when the input keys (for example, 154M and 155M) on the central operation unit 15M are pressed simultaneously can be determined by the "ON" (when touched)-"OFF" (when not touched) signal sent from the input operation unit 15M to the control device 40, and the control device 40 measures the time from the "ON" signal to the time when it changes to the "OFF" signal to determine whether or not it is a "long press."

[0150] The type (range) of inventory information obtained from the refrigerator 800 (not shown) may be, for example, limited to only frozen foods, or limited to only ingredients that can be heated by a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2).

[0151] In the central display section 16M, when the control mode and control conditions (temperature, heat, time, etc.) of the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are being selected, the input function of the function setting key 151KP is disabled so as not to switch the function mode.

[0152] Next, the setting of the peak cut value of the cooking appliance 1 will be described. Even if the default value at the time of shipment from the manufacturer is 5400W, it can be set to any of 5000W, 4800W, or 4000W when installed in the user's home.

[0153] In this way, the functions of the cooking appliance 1 can be changed using the function setting key 151KP in accordance with the user's wishes and the environment in which the appliance is used (the power situation in the home where the appliance is installed). When the peak cut value is set in this way, the setting result is stored in the control device 40, and is used to determine whether or not to permit use of the linked cooking mode KM3 when the user selects the linked cooking mode KM3, as will be described later. Therefore, the peak cut value cannot be changed using the function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 7) while cooking condition data, which will be described later, is being received from the communication terminal device 200.

[0154] In FIG. 10, the light emitting section 21M is made up of an LED, and emits light in response to the operation of the input keys 151M to 159M. The two adjacent input keys 155M and 154M have in common the function of changing the display content of the first area 22, and therefore share one light emitting section 21M.

[0155] The two adjacent input keys 157M and 156M share one light emitting section 21M because they commonly change the display content of the second area 23. The two adjacent input keys 159M and 158M have in common the function of changing the display content of the third area 24, and therefore share one light emitting section 21M.

[0156] Input key 151M is a start key that is pressed (touched) to start cooking, and input key 152M is a cancel key that is pressed (touched) to stop or end cooking.

[0157] The input key 153M is an input key (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "first input key") that selects the "combined cooking mode" KM3 when operated after the main power switch 20 is turned on.

[0158] When input keys 154M and 155M are operated after turning on the main power switch 20 (without pressing input key 153M), they are input keys (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "fourth input key") that select the "combined cooking mode" KM2.

[0159] The input keys 153R and 153L described in FIG. 9 are input keys (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "third input key") that select the "single cooking mode" KM1 when operated after the main power switch 20 is turned on (without pressing the input keys 153M, 154M, and 155M).

[0160] The input key 151M has the function of deciding to start cooking for the three cooking modes, "single cooking mode" KM1, "combined cooking mode" KM2, and "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, and may be referred to as the "start key" hereinafter.

[0161] The input keys 154M and 155M shown in FIG. 10 are input keys (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "second input keys") that select the "combined cooking mode" KM2 when operated after turning on the main power switch 20 (without pressing the input key 153M).

[0162] Four input keys 156M to 159M have a function that allows the user to adjust (within a certain range) control conditions such as microwave output and cooking time, and may be hereinafter referred to as "fourth input keys."

[0163] When any one of the "single cooking mode" KM1, "combined cooking mode" KM2, and "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 is selected, the selection result is displayed on the central display unit 16M. The "single cooking mode," "combined cooking mode," and "cooperative cooking mode" will be explained in detail later.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 10, the input keys 154M and 155M are located adjacent to and in front of the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M, and are keys for switching the display content of the screen displayed in the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M.

[0165] Next, FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the central display section 16M. When the input key 154M is pressed, that is, when the user operates it, the content displayed in the first area 22, for example, the display information 25A for "Microwave Manual" in one of the control menus belonging to the "Composite Cooking Mode" KM2, moves backward. At the same time, the display information 25B for "Pre-boil Leafy Vegetables" displayed in the front is moved to the center.

[0166] In addition, when the input key 155M is pressed, i.e., operated by the user, the display information 25A for "Microwave Manual" displayed in the first area 22 moves forward, and the display information 25C for "Warm" displayed at the rear is displayed in the center.

[0167] In this way, the user can select a specific control menu (for example, "manual range") within the "control menu" by operating the input keys 154M and 155M.

[0168] The control menu for "manual range" originally belongs to the "single cooking mode KM1" which uses only the second heating means HM2, but in addition to this, control menus (for composite cooking) belonging to the "composite cooking mode M2" and the "linked cooking mode KM3" respectively, as well as control menus and linked cooking menus belonging to linked cooking menus (for example, "hamburger steak"), are also displayed in the first area 22.

[0169] Then, by pressing input key (start key) 151M, i.e., by the user operating it, "Microwave Manual" is selected from the control menu displayed in the center in the case of FIG. 10. The corresponding heating starts, i.e., the heating means (in this case, microwave oscillation source 11) is driven. Therefore, input keys 154M and 155M correspond to the selection keys for the control menu operated by the user. Similarly, they correspond to the selection keys for the control menu (for combined cooking). Furthermore, they also correspond to the selection keys for the linked cooking menu.

[0170] In FIG. 10, input keys 156M and 157M are positioned adjacent to and in front of the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and are keys for switching the display content of the screen displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M.

[0171] 11, when input key 156M is pressed, the wattage (microwave output value) displayed in second area 23 ("500W" in FIG. 11) is increased by one step (to "600W", for example). Conversely, when input key 157M is pressed, the wattage displayed in second area 23 is decreased by one step (to "200W", for example).

[0172] By operating input keys 156M and 157M, the user can select the wattage (microwave output value) for microwave cooking performed in heating chamber 5 (a type of "single cooking mode M3" using microwave oscillator 11).

[0173] The input keys 158M and 159M are arranged adjacent to the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M, in front of and near the third area 24, and are used to switch the display content displayed in the third area 24.

[0174] 11, when input key 158M is pressed, the heating operation time displayed in the third area 24 is increased by one step. Conversely, when input key 159M is pressed, the heating operation time displayed in the third area 24 is decreased by one step. The user can select the time for microwave cooking to be performed in heating chamber 6 by operating input keys 158M and 159M.

[0175] Next, FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 12 is a control block diagram showing main functions of the cooking appliance 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the cooking appliance 1 includes a control device 40 that performs integrated control of the cooking appliance 1 as a whole.

[0176] The control device 40 is an electronic circuit board mounted with electronic components such as a control circuit that controls the operation of each component of the cooking appliance 1. The control device 40 controls the driving of the left IH coil 9L, the right IH coil 9R, and the center IH coil 9C (not shown) based on the operation of the left operating unit 15L and the right operating unit 15R and the temperature of the object to be heated on the top plate 3.

[0177] The control device 40 controls the operation of the central IH coil 9C, microwave heating means 11, upper radiant heat heating means 12a, and lower radiant heat heating means 12b based on the operation of the central operation unit 15M, the temperature of the heated object on the top plate 3, and the detection results of the infrared sensor 13 and the thermistor sensor 14.

[0178] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the displays on the left display unit 16L, the right display unit 16R, the left heating power display unit 17L, and the right heating power display unit 17R based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R.

[0179] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the display of the central display unit 16M and the central heating status display unit 17M based on the open signal from the open / close detection unit 10 and the operations of the left operation unit 15L, the right operation unit 15R and the central operation unit 15M.

[0180] The control device 40 has a storage device 41 that stores data such as various programs and parameters used to control the cooking appliance 1 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control data") and data for the display screens displayed on the display units 16L, 16R, 16M, 17L, and 17R (hereinafter collectively referred to as "display condition data"). The control device 40 also activates the audio notification unit 50 as necessary to notify the user of the operating status of the cooking appliance 1 by audio.

[0181] The control device 40 stores data in a specific format, which is information such as various programs and parameters used for cooking control by the heating control unit 43, in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 of the storage device 41. This data is the cooking condition data CD mentioned above. As will be explained later, the cooking appliance 1 is initially provided with cooking condition data CD corresponding to each of the eight cooking menus of the combined cooking mode KM3.

[0182] The "cooking condition data" and "display condition data" can be acquired by the cooker 1 from an external device such as the communication terminal device 200 for each individual cooking menu.

[0183] A storage unit 42 stores the "cooking condition data" and the "display condition data." The storage unit 42 may be configured as one section (area) in the storage device 41, or may be configured as a separate unit from the storage device 41 in terms of hardware.

[0184] Reference numeral 43 denotes a heating control section that performs integrated control of the overall heating operation of the cooking appliance 1, and is mainly composed of a microcomputer. Reference numeral 53 denotes a data acquisition unit that acquires the "cooking condition data" from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51. In addition, the "display condition data" may also be acquired from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51.

[0185] Reference numeral 51 denotes a communication unit that communicates wirelessly with the outside, and has a function of performing wireless communication 400 with the smartphone 200 as shown in Fig. 1 or 3. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, it has a function of forming networks 203, 204, and 205 with the cloud server 300.

[0186] Reference numeral 54 denotes a permission condition determination unit that performs a process of determining whether cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is permitted. Reference numeral 57 denotes a power supply circuit, which supplies constant voltage power to the control device 40. Reference numeral 20 denotes a main power switch inserted into this power supply circuit 57.

[0187] A limiting unit 55 limits the acquisition of the cooking condition data. The restriction unit 55 has the function of restricting the data acquisition unit 53 from acquiring the cooking condition data via the communication unit 51 during the waiting period before starting cooking in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 (i.e., before the "cooking process 1" described below).

[0188] Furthermore, the restriction unit 55 has a function of restricting the acquisition of new cooking condition data from the communication unit 51 until the cooking process of the cooking menu to which the cooking condition data acquired before the start of cooking process 1 is applied is completed. The limiting unit 55 may be realized by a single control program of a computer (not shown) that constitutes the control device 40, and it is not necessarily required that the limiting unit 55 be configured separately on hardware from the control device 40.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 12, the input operation unit 15 has an audio signal receiving unit 56 that receives the voice uttered by the user with a microphone (not shown) and converts the voice into a predetermined audio signal.

[0190] On the other hand, the control device 40 is provided with an audio signal analysis unit 58 that receives an audio signal from the audio signal receiving unit 56 and analyzes the content of the audio. The audio signal analysis unit 58 compares the content of the audio received by the audio signal receiving unit 56 with information in an audio database stored in the storage device 41, analyzes the content of the audio, and transmits the analysis results to the heating control unit 43.

[0191] In Figure 12, 59 is a human detection sensor. It also has a receiving unit (not shown) that emits ultrasonic waves or infrared rays forward of the cooking appliance 1 and receives the reflected input. This human detection sensor 59 is installed so as to emit infrared rays in the front (forward) direction of the heating chamber 6. Note that no dedicated circuit is provided for processing the signal received by the receiving unit, and the control device 40 analyzes the received signal to determine whether or not a person is present.

[0192] As shown in the dashed frame in FIG. 12, the audio notification unit 50 and the display unit 15 may be collectively referred to as the "notification unit," and in this case, the reference numeral 90 is used.

[0193] As described in FIG. 12, the cooking device 1 according to the first embodiment has a first heating means HM1 for induction heating an object to be heated on the top plate 3; a heating chamber 6 having metal walls; A second heating means HM2 that supplies microwaves to the heating chamber 6; a third heating means HM3 for heating the heating chamber 6 with radiant heat; a notification unit 90; a communication unit 51; A display unit 16; The configuration includes a control device 40.

[0194] , The control device 40 displays an initial standby screen 16MH on the display unit 16, and then displays a display screen (first specific screen 16M1 to third specific screen 16M3) dedicated to each cooking mode.

[0195] There are three types of cooking modes: a single cooking mode KM1, a combined cooking mode KM2, and a cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0196] The single cooking mode KM1 has the following three types. (1) IH only mode in which the first heating means HM1 is operated alone (2) A microwave-only cooking mode in which the second heating means HM2 is operated alone (3) Oven-only cooking mode in which the third heating means HM3 is operated alone

[0197] The composite cooking mode KM2 is a heating pattern in which cooking is performed in the heating chamber 6 by simultaneously operating both the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 or by automatically operating them at different times.

[0198] The collaborative cooking mode KM3 is a heating pattern in which the second heating means HM2 and / or the third heating means HM3 and the first heating means HM1 are operated sequentially after a transition period TR whose length is determined by a command from the user.

[0199] The control device 40 has an operation program for executing the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3. The data acquisition unit 53 of the control device 40 can acquire the cooking condition data CD from the cloud server 300 or the communication terminal device 200 via the communication unit 51.

[0200] (3. Control menu configuration of the central operation unit) Next, the selectable control menu displayed on the central display unit 16M by the central operation unit 15M will be described with reference to FIG.

[0201] FIG. 13 shows the entire control menu that can be selected using the central operation unit 15M. The control menus that can be selected by the central operating unit 15M are divided into an RG (range grill) menu group that uses the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) and one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b, and an IH menu group that uses the central IH coil 9C corresponding to the central heating port 4C.

[0202] The control menu shown in Fig. 13 is categorized into four perspectives (categories 1 to 4) in Fig. 14. As is clear from Fig. 14, the control menu is roughly categorized into a single cooking mode KM1 and a combined cooking mode KM2. Although Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 do not show the combined cooking mode KM3, the central operation unit 15M can execute a combined cooking menu in the combined cooking mode.

[0203] When the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" and the input key 154M or 155R is pressed without operating the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected.

[0204] Therefore, the display screen of the central display portion 16M is switched to the second specific screen 16M2. In the first area 22 of the second specific screen 16M2, the control menu "Warm" shown in the "Left Display Area" of Fig. 13 is always displayed first because this control menu "Warm" is set as the default.

[0205] The "left display area" in Fig. 13 is a display area that corresponds to the first area 22 described in Fig. 10. In other words, the various control menus shown in the "left display area" in Fig. 13 are displayed sequentially in the first area 22.

[0206] As shown in the "left display area" of Figure 13, in addition to "Warm," there are 13 control menus: "Microwave manual," "Pre-boil leafy vegetables," "Pre-boil root vegetables," "Defrost meat," "Microwave grill (RG) cooking," "Microwave grill (RG) reheat," "Microwave grill (RG) manual," "Grill," "Oven," "IH keep warm," "IH rice cooking," and "IH heating."

[0207] The control menus "Warm," "Microwave manual," "Pre-boil leafy vegetables," "Pre-boil root vegetables," "Defrost meat," "Microwave grill (RG) cooking," "Microwave grill (RG) reheat," "Microwave grill (RG) manual," "Grill," and "Oven" are included in the RG menu group. In addition, "IH Keep Warm," "IH Cooking," and "IH Heating" are included in the IH menu group.

[0208] The content shown in the "Central Display Area" in FIG. 13 is the content displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and relates to adjusting the heating conditions during cooking, such as temperature, time, heat, "high," or "low." In other words, the "Central Display Area" lists various control conditions. The default settings for this "Central Display Area" are listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "Central Display Area."

[0209] The contents written in the "right display area" in Figure 13 indicate the contents displayed in the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M. The default settings for the "right display area" are listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "right display area." A blank space does not indicate a control condition that can be changed, but rather indicates that no information is displayed, or that an appropriate explanatory text that cannot be selected or changed (by the user) is displayed in the third area 24.

[0210] Next, a total of 13 types of control menus displayed in the "left display area" of FIG. 13 will be described. (1) Warming: This refers to heating the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2). This "warming" mode is also suitable for reheating food. The default setting is "80°C," so microwave heating will automatically stop once the food has heated to 80°C. Note that "80°C" is the target temperature, which can be adjusted by the user before heating begins. As shown in the central display area of ​​Figure 12, for example, the range from 0°C to 90°C can be set in 5-degree increments.

[0211] (2) Manual microwave operation: This refers to using the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. The heating time is set by the user to a specific time between 10 seconds and 60 minutes.

[0212] (3) Parboiling leafy vegetables: This method uses microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) to boil food in the heating chamber 6, particularly vegetables whose leaves are edible, such as spinach and Chinese cabbage. The infrared sensor 13 measures the temperature rise of the food in real time and automatically stops cooking.

[0213] (4) Pre-boiling of root vegetables: This method is suitable for boiling food items in the heating chamber 6, particularly roots, rhizomes, potatoes, and other root vegetables, using microwave heating means (second heating means HM2).

[0214] (5) Meat thawing: Suitable for thawing various kinds of meat that have been frozen in the heating chamber 6. (6) Range grill (RG) cooking: The food to be cooked in the heating chamber 6 is cooked by combining microwave heating using a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) with oven heating using upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b.

[0215] (7) Range Grill (RG) Re-cooking: Suitable for re-heating food that has already been cooked in the heating chamber 6. (8) Range Grill (RG) Manual: The user can select between microwave heating and oven heating as appropriate to heat and cook the food in the heating chamber 6.

[0216] (9) Grill: This uses one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat food in the heating chamber 5. In other words, this is a control menu that uses the third heating means HM3.

[0217] In the "Grill" mode, the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is not managed, nor is a rise in the temperature of the food being cooked detected and the heating operation stopped. The heating operation is performed for a time specified by the user, within a range of 10 seconds to 30 minutes.

[0218] (10) Oven: Either or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are used to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. The temperature of the heating chamber 6 is measured in real time by the thermistor sensor 14, and the power supply to the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is controlled so that the temperature reaches the set target temperature.

[0219] (11) IH Warm: Heats an object to be heated, such as a pot, above the central heating port 4C so that it remains at the temperature set by the user. The induction heating power ranges from low to medium, ranging from 200W to 750W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C detects the temperature of the object to be heated in real time, and the heating control unit 43 of the control device 40 controls the heating power based on the detected temperature. The default temperature is 80°C, as shown in FIG. 13. For example, this is suitable for keeping soup warm.

[0220] (12) IH rice cooking: Heats rice according to the number of servings (amount of rice cooked) set by the user. The induction heating power ranges from low to high, from 200W to 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the heated object (also called overheating; the same applies below). If an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 will reduce the heating power or stop the heating operation.

[0221] (13) IH heating: Heating is performed according to the induction heating power set by the user. There are five levels of heat power that can be set: Heat Power 1: 200W, Heat Power 2: 500W, Heat Power 3: 750W, Heat Power 4: 1000W, and Heat Power 5: 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the heated object, and if an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the heat power or stops the heating operation. The default heat power is 500W.

[0222] Next, FIG. 14 will be described. FIG. 14 is a classification table of the RG control menus ("RG menu group" in FIG. 13) and the IH control menus of the single cooking mode KM1 using the induction heating source 9 ("IH menu group" in FIG. 13).

[0223] The "left display area" of the first region in Fig. 13 means the first area 22 (see Fig. 10). As is clear from Fig. 14, the names of the control menus shown in Fig. 14 are also displayed in text in the first area 22 of the central display section 16M, and are used by the user to select a control menu.

[0224] Next, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage structure of various cooking control menus for the cooperative cooking mode and the combined cooking mode, and the correspondence between the input keys. Information indicating the main points of each control menu shown in category 2 of FIG. 14 is stored as data in the third layer of cooking condition storage unit 42 as shown in FIG.

[0225] Therefore, by operating input keys 154M and 155M to select a desired control menu, the user can automatically or arbitrarily display information indicating the main points of each control menu shown in category 2 in Fig. 14, which corresponds one-to-one to (is linked to) that control menu. Fig. 16 shows an example of this automatic display.

[0226] Next, the display on the central display unit 16M when the central operation unit 15M is operated will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. First, when the user turns on the main power by pressing the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 12), the input functions of the left operation unit 15L, the central operation unit 15M, and the right operation unit 15R become valid. That is, the control device 40 enters a state in which it can accept operation signals from these operation units 15L, 15M, and 15R, and a predetermined screen (hereinafter referred to as the "standby initial screen" 16MH) (see FIG. 28) is displayed on the central display unit 16M, although this is not shown.

[0227] In this state, when the user presses the input key 154M or 155M, the display screen 16ST is displayed as shown in FIG. As is clear from the display screen 16ST, the name 160 of the control menu "Warm" is displayed large in the center of the first area 22 in the front-to-back direction.

[0228] Behind the control menu identification information 160 for "warm" displayed in the center of the first area 22, the words "IH heating" (control menu identification information) 161 are displayed, and conversely, in front of it, the words "microwave manual" (control menu identification information) 162 are displayed in slightly smaller size.

[0229] This allows the user to see that when selecting a control menu, the next options are "IH heating" and "microwave manual." If, at this stage, the input key 154M is pressed once, the control menu identification information 162 for "microwave manual" is displayed large, as if it has moved (backward) to the position of the characters "warm" (control menu identification information) 160. Note that the characters of the control menu identification information 162 have not actually moved; the displayed information has simply switched.

[0230] Furthermore, when the input key 155M is pressed once, the characters "IH heating" (control menu identification information) 161 are displayed larger, as if they have moved (forward) to the position of the characters "warming" (control menu identification information) 160. Note that in this case too, the control menu identification information 162 has not actually moved, but the display information has simply been switched.

[0231] 16, the display screen 16ST displays a target temperature of "80°C" in the second area 23. When microwave heating is performed at this target temperature, microwave heating is automatically stopped when the infrared sensor 13 detects that the temperature of the food to be cooked is 80°C.

[0232] If you want to change the temperature displayed in this second area 23 and change the temperature at which the device automatically stops, simply operate input key 156M or 157M. Pressing input key 156M once will raise the temperature by 5°C to 85°C, as shown on display screen 16UP1, and pressing input key 167M once will lower the temperature by 5°C to 75°C, as shown on display screen 16DN1.

[0233] Also, in the second area 23, a heat source display section 163 is displayed which displays in text that the heat source is microwave heating means (second heating means HM2).

[0234] As described above, 164 is reference information that is automatically displayed to indicate that this is a recommended control menu for heating side dishes, etc. The content of this reference information may be other additional information 165, and two or more types of information may be displayed alternately or sequentially for several seconds each on the display screen (for example, third area 24) of central display unit 16M.

[0235] Furthermore, as shown in category 2 in FIG. 13, information (reference information) 164 indicating the main points of each control menu may be displayed at any time in response to the operation of the input key 158 or 159. In other words, in this embodiment 1, the reference information 164 that corresponds one-to-one with each control menu (e.g., "warming") is displayed so that the user does not have to wonder whether to select each control menu (e.g., "warming").

[0236] Furthermore, when reference information 164 is displayed as shown in FIG. 16, if one of the (two) input keys 158M or 159M located in front of the reference information 164 is touched, more detailed additional information 166 may be displayed in the third area 24 instead of the reference information 164.

[0237] As shown in Figure 16, the aforementioned "composite cooking mode" KM2 is a mode in which multiple heating means with different heating principles, such as the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, are driven simultaneously or automatically switched with a time lag to heat and cook a common food item.

[0238] In FIG. 16, the display screen shown in the central display section 16M is a display screen dedicated to the "combined cooking mode" KM2, and may be referred to as a "second specific screen" 16M2.

[0239] Next, a description will be given of FIGS. 17 to 23. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the relationship between the display operation of the central display unit 16M and the central operation unit 15M in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, showing a situation during a heating operation.

[0240] In FIG. 17, when the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" to start the control device 40 and the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, a first specific screen 16M1 shown in this FIG. 17 is displayed.

[0241] Even if the input key 155M or 156M is pressed first and the setting operation for the "combined cooking mode" KM2, such as a single cooking mode such as microwave heating or microwave grill (RG) cooking, is halfway through, if the setting operation is at a stage before the input key 151M is pressed, the input process will change to the "combined cooking mode" KM3 when the input key 153M is pressed. In other words, from this stage, only the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M.

[0242] If input key 153M is touched, and then input key 154M or 155M is touched, further identification information (including a graphic mark and the name of the food item) 167 is displayed in the first area 22 of the display screen (first identification screen) 16M1 of the central display unit 16M to identify the food item that is the target of multiple collaborative cooking modes KM3 (the collaborative cooking menu).

[0243] In Figure 17, the number of "foods" that can be cooked in the cooperative cooking mode displayed in the central display section 16M is three: hamburger steak, gratin, and roast beef. In this way, the number of food items is called the "number of cooperative cooking menus."

[0244] In this first embodiment, there are a total of eight cooperative cooking menus. Details will be explained in Figures 18 and 19. However, it is possible to acquire cooking condition data from a smartphone (communication terminal device) 200 (described later) to further increase the number of cooperative cooking menus.

[0245] 17, 167, 168, and 169 are identification information, which in this first embodiment is information that indicates the names of the foods to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak, gratin, roast beef) one-to-one. Note that when describing all the identification information for the coordinated cooking menu, the reference number 167 is used.

[0246] The position where the control menu identification information 160 (see FIG. 16) is displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position A." In contrast, in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the position where the identification information 167 is displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position B."

[0247] In this embodiment 1, "display position B" and the "display position A" (see FIG. 16) are set to the same position, but they may be set to different positions. However, to avoid user confusion, the eight cooperative cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 are always set to the same position (display position B). Also, in the combined cooking mode KM2, it is preferable to always unify each control menu to the same (single) "display position A."

[0248] In Figure 17, the operation support information 170 displays "Press the start button to start heating with the left IH." This means that by pressing the input key 151M on the central operation unit 15M, induction heating (in the combined cooking mode KM3) can be started with the left IH coil 9L. However, in this first embodiment, it is necessary to press the input key 153L on the left operation unit 15L after pressing the input key 151M.

[0249] As shown in FIG. 17, above (behind in plan view) the identification information 167 shown on the first specific screen 16M1, identification information 168 indicating the name of another food item (for example, gratin) is displayed.

[0250] Also, identification information 169 indicating the name of another food item (for example, roast beef) is displayed below the identification information 167. In Fig. 17, one light emitting unit 21M corresponding to an input key 151M is surrounded by a dashed circle, which indicates that the light emitting unit 21M is blinking (or emitting light in a color different from the other light emitting units) and waiting for a command to start cooking.

[0251] Next, FIG. 18 will be described. Similar to switching the display between the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode" KM1, the food to be cooked in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 can be selected by operating the two input keys 154M and 155M.

[0252] That is, each time either input key 154M or 155M is operated once, the identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked (for example, hamburger steak) changes its display by moving sequentially upward or downward by one step. That is, by forward and backward movement, the identification information 167 can be sequentially displayed at a predetermined position (front-rear center position) in first area 22L, in other words, at display position B.

[0253] In this first embodiment, as mentioned above, there are a total of eight types of food to be cooked in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. Therefore, for example, if the left input key 155M is operated eight times, the identification information 167 of one food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) will cycle through. Conversely, if the right input key 154M is operated eight times, the identification information 167 of one food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) will cycle through.

[0254] In Fig. 18(A), FG indicate the user's fingertips. Every time the input key 155M is pressed once, the display contents of the first specific screen 16M1 change to display screens 18A to 18D as shown in Fig. 18(B).

[0255] As mentioned above, when the user sets the input operation unit 15 to the function setting mode (using the function setting key 151KP) in advance and operates multiple input keys on the input operation unit 15 during the function setting mode to display individual cooking menus of the linked cooking mode KM3 on the central display unit 16M, the user can set the display to prioritize either food ingredients or nutritional ingredients.

[0256] For example, when the function setting key 151KP is pressed as described above, a dedicated display screen for the "function setting menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display section 16M. Therefore, by "long pressing" one specific input key (for example, 154M) other than the function setting key 151KP, a display screen for setting one of the setting menus (for example, "food composition display" or "nutritional composition display") in the "function setting menu" can be displayed.

[0257] Furthermore, when the display screen for setting such "food composition labeling" or "nutritional composition labeling" is displayed, by operating a specific input key other than the function setting key 151KP (for example, any one of 154M, 155M, 158M, etc.), it is possible to change the conditions for setting "food composition labeling" or "nutritional composition labeling" or to cancel the setting. For example, it is possible to set a specific range so that only "iron" among nutrients and the "energy (calorie equivalent)" of the component are displayed.

[0258] Therefore, if the function setting key 151KP is set to prioritize either food ingredients or nutritional ingredients and display them based on that, it is not necessarily the case that "hamburger" will be displayed first, as shown in Figure 18(A).

[0259] As described above, the user can search for a cooking menu by voice while pressing the input key 180. For example, if a user voice-inputs something like "a menu with a low calorie value" at the stage shown in Fig. 18, the cooking menu with the lowest calorie value (amount of energy) among the eight cooking menus will be displayed in a predetermined position (front-to-back center position) in the first area 22L on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0260] For example, in Figure 17, three cooking menu items are displayed: gratin, hamburger steak, and roast beef. The amount of energy (unit: kilocalories) per 100g is 152 for gratin (macaroni gratin), 223 for hamburger steak, and approximately 196 for roast beef. Therefore, macaroni is extracted as the "menu with the lowest calorie value" of these three.

[0261] Next, FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display unit 16M in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, and is an example in which the standard ingredients and nutritional ingredients for "hamburger steak," one of the cooking menus, are displayed.

[0262] 17 or 18, if the user issues a command to display either the food ingredients or the nutritional ingredients by voice input, or if the user touches input key 158M or 159M, first specific screen 16M1 temporarily switches to the display screen of Figure 19(A) or Figure 19(B). Pressing input key 158M is equivalent to issuing a command to display the food ingredients.

[0263] In the following description, the display screen of FIG. 19(A) will be referred to as a "food component display screen" 16M1A, and the display screen of FIG. 19(B) will be referred to as a "nutritional component display screen" 16M1B.

[0264] The food component display screen 16M1A and the nutritional component display screen 16M1B automatically return to the original state of the first specific screen 16M1 after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since they were displayed. Alternatively, the display program of the control device 40 stipulates that if the user issues a command by voice input, or if either of the input keys 158M and 159M is operated once more within the specified time period (10 seconds), the display will return to the original state of the first specific screen 16M1.

[0265] Referring to FIG. FIG. 20 is a table showing the correspondence between the cooking menu in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 and the operation support information 170 (see FIG. 17).

[0266] As can be seen from Fig. 20, the operation support information 170 includes two types: operation support information A and operation support information B. One is information that says "Press the start button to start heating the left IH cooker," and the other is information that says "Press the start button to confirm." This "start button" refers to input key 151M.

[0267] The two types of operation support information 170 are automatically switched before the start of the cooking process in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3. For example, they are displayed alternately every few seconds.

[0268] Next, FIG. 22 will be described. In this first embodiment, a "cooperative preheat cooking mode" KM4 is provided as one type of the cooperative cooking mode KM3. There are two types of linked preheat cooking mode KM4.

[0269] An example of a cooking menu that utilizes the linked preheat cooking mode KM4 is "hamburger steak." In the case of this "hamburger steak," the preheating process is performed by the induction heating source 9 (first heating means HM1).

[0270] If the cooking process 1 is started while the preheating process is being performed (by the induction heating source 9), the heating operation of the preheating process has not been stopped at the time when the cooking process 1 is started. Therefore, the energization of the induction heating source 9 and the energization of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3 in charge of cooking process 1 are carried out in parallel in the same time period.

[0271] In other words, in the linked preheating cooking mode KM4, the heating source (in the above description, the first heating means HM1) that has started operating before the cooking process 1 is not necessarily stopped at the start of the cooking process 1, and during the cooking process 1, power may be supplied to either or both of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3.

[0272] Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given on the assumption that the cooperative cooking mode KM3 includes the cooperative preheat cooking mode KM4.

[0273] When the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is selected, once the identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked is displayed on the central display unit 16M, the left operating unit 15L of the left IH coil 9L cannot be used for other cooking menus.

[0274] Specifically, among the various input keys on the left operation unit 15L, at least the input key 153L is disabled by the heating control unit 43. This "disabled" means that the input key 153L does not transmit a valid command signal to the heating control unit 43, and that even if a valid command signal is transmitted, the heating control unit 43 does not process the command signal as a valid command signal. In either case, heating with the left IH coil 9L cannot be selected.

[0275] At the same time, when the identification information 167 is displayed, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R may be made unavailable (by "disabling" the input key 153R). However, if the user has previously set the function on the input operation unit 15 (using the function setting key 151KP) to prevent this "disabling," and if the right IH coil 9R is already being used for another control menu (heating operation is ongoing), the right IH coil 9R can be used as is. On the other hand, in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the fact that it has been used previously determines that it cannot be used (by the heating control unit 43).

[0276] Therefore, only the left IH coil 9L is "occupied" by the selection of the combined cooking mode KM3. Also, from the perspective of the first heating source HM1 as a whole, the use of only a portion (left IH coil 9L) of the three heating elements 4L, 4C, and 4R is "restricted." Note that if the right IH coil 9R is not being used for other cooking, the right IH coil 9R may also be placed in an occupied state.

[0277] Continuing with the explanation of FIG. Fig. 21 shows the operation steps when "fried chicken" is made in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. In Fig. 21, #1 to #9 indicate user operations and state changes of the cooker 1.

[0278] Unlike the case of the "hamburger steak" described above, the "fried chicken" shown in FIG. 21 has cooking step 1 performed in heating chamber 6 and cooking step 2 performed by induction heating source 9.

[0279] In Figure 21, before starting cooking step 1 to cook "fried chicken," the user first selects the left IH coil 9L and presses the input key 151L. Then, preheating of the object to be heated placed on the top plate 3 begins. In this case, the object to be heated is a metal pot or frying pan, etc., with a certain amount of cooking oil added.

[0280] Meanwhile, the user opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and places ingredients for "fried chicken" (such as seasoned chicken) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). Then, after closing the door 7, an operation A23 called "pressing the start button" is performed. This operation is performed by pressing the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M.

[0281] At this point, the microwave heating source (second heating means HM2) is activated to start microwave cooking step 1. Then, notification 1 of reference information is performed.

[0282] The notification 1 is, for example, an announcement of the time remaining until the end of heating, such as "Microwave heating has started. Heating time is xx minutes." Alternatively, if the control is performed to detect the temperature of the food to be cooked and determine the time to end heating, the notification may be information indicating the target temperature, such as "Heating to xx°C."

[0283] During this cooking step 1, the preheating of the left IH coil 9L is completed (for example, the object to be heated is heated to 180°C, which is the standard preheating temperature). The user is notified of this preheating completion by voice and text, etc., via the audio notification unit 51 and the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1) (#2).

[0284] The user can stop microwave heating at any time during cooking process 1. To stop the microwave heating, simply open door 7. Microwave heating can be stopped by pressing input key 152M on central operation unit 15M only once. However, pressing input key 152M twice in a short period of time will cancel the cooking mode, and the selection of "fried chicken" in the linked cooking mode will be cancelled.

[0285] By opening the door 7, the microwave heating operation is immediately stopped, and cooking step 1 ends (#3). Next, the user moves the food material that has been heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated that has been preheated on the top plate 3 (#4).

[0286] Then, cooking process 2 begins with left heating port 4L (#5). In cooking step 2, input key 153L (see FIG. 8) on left operation unit 15L is pressed first before preheating begins, so there is no need to operate left operation unit 15L at the start of cooking step 2. In other words, when ingredients (fried chicken ingredients) are moved into an object to be heated that has been preheated to, for example, 180°C, heating of the ingredients begins at the temperature of the object to be heated (this point marks the start of cooking step 2).

[0287] As described above, the user does not need to operate the input operation unit 15 in order to start cooking step 2 (#5). The start of cooking process 2 occurs when the food to be cooked is placed on top of the heated food and is ready to be heated. However, the temperature sensor group 30 (see Figure 12) may detect a temporary drop in the temperature of the heated food when the food is placed on top, and the start of cooking process 2 may be determined electrically. Cooking step 2 can be ended at any time by the user operating left operating unit 15L.

[0288] The user then moves the food again. First, the door 7 is opened, the food to be cooked is placed in the heating chamber 6, and the door 7 is closed (#6). Then, the input key 151M on the central operation unit 15M is pressed to start cooking step 3 of the range grill control menu (RG control menu).

[0289] When a predetermined time (TN5) has elapsed since the cooking process 3 by the range grill driving unit in the heating chamber 6 was started by the user's operation input A26, a notification 2 of the reference information 5 is made.

[0290] The reference information notification 2 is information including guidance such as, for example, "Heating will finish in 30 seconds. If you wish to extend the time further, please set the time." Furthermore, since the user knows that the final cooking process is about to end, the user can start preparing to remove the "fried chicken" from the heating chamber 6 from the point of time when the reference information notification 2 is displayed. In synchronization with this, the central display unit 16M displays the content of the notification 2 in text or the like. The notification 2 is displayed at a specific position on the first specific screen 16M1, just like the operation support information 170.

[0291] Thereafter, the microwave heating operation is stopped, and cooking step 3 is completed (#7). Note that cooking step 3 can be stopped immediately if the user opens door 7. Then, the user moves the food heated in the heating chamber 6 into the food to be heated that is being preheated on the top plate 3 (#8). In this case, if the food to be heated is maintained in a heated state by induction heating until the end of cooking step 3, further induction heating (cooking step 4) may be performed (#9).

[0292] Induction heating cooking can be ended by operating the left 15L. That is, the user's operation A28 at this point is to press the input key 153L of the left operation unit 15L corresponding to the left IH coil 9L.

[0293] The cooking sequence shown in FIG. 21 can shorten the time required from the start of the induction heating operation (start of the preheating step) to the end of cooking step 1. That is, cooking step 1 is started by placing ingredients (food to be cooked) in heating chamber 6 at an earlier point in time than the completion of preheating by induction heating or notification of the completion of preheating.

[0294] Since preheating by the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is completed before cooking process 1 is completed, the food to be cooked can be immediately transferred into the food to be heated on top plate 3 after cooking process 1 is completed, and cooking process 2 can be started.

[0295] In the example of "fried chicken" in Figure 21, cooking step 3 was included, but cooking step 3 and cooking step 4 are not necessarily required. Cooking steps can be completed as needed depending on the type of food to be cooked and the user's wishes.

[0296] 21 shows that the "left IH coil drive period" continues even after cooking step 2 is completed, but the drive of the left IH coil 9L can be stopped at any time using the left operation unit 15L after cooking step 2 is completed. However, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 21, if the left IH coil 9L is to be used in cooking step 4 as well, it is necessary to start the preheating operation again before cooking step 4.

[0297] Next, FIG. 22 will be described. Like FIG. 21, FIG. 22 shows the operation steps when "fried chicken" is selected as the cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. 22, #1 to #9 indicate, as explained in FIG. 21, user operations and state changes of the cooking appliance 1. Other symbols correspond to those in FIG.

[0298] The difference between this FIG. 22 and the above-mentioned FIG. 21 will be explained. FIG. 22 shows a case where cooking step 1 is started in heating chamber 6 after the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) has completed preheating of the object to be heated and a notification of this (#2) has been received.

[0299] When the completion of preheating of the object to be heated by the induction heating source is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 and the left and right display units 16L and 16R, and is also notified by audio notification unit 50, the user opens door 7 of heating chamber 6 and places the ingredients for "fried chicken" (such as seasoned chicken) into heating chamber 6 (#1). Then, after closing the door 7, the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed.

[0300] At this point, microwave cooking step 1 begins. Then, the reference information notification 1 is performed. After this, the process is the same as that shown in FIG.

[0301] In the cooking sequence shown in FIG. 22, the time required from the start of the heating operation (start of the preheating step) of the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) to the end of cooking step 1 is longer than that in FIG.

[0302] However, since heating of the ingredients (food to be cooked) in the heating chamber 6 begins after the preheating by the first heating means HM1 is completed or a notification of the completion of preheating is received, once cooking step 1 in the heating chamber 6 is completed, there is a guarantee that cooking step 2 can be immediately started by the induction heating source 9 if the food to be cooked is moved. Therefore, this method is suitable for users who are not very familiar with the linked preheating cooking mode KM4.

[0303] 22 shows that the "driving period of the left IH coil 9L" continues even after cooking step 2 is completed, but if the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is not used after cooking step 2 is completed, the driving of the left IH coil 9L may be stopped at any time by the left operating unit 15L after cooking step 2 is completed. However, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 22, if the left IH coil 9L is also used in cooking step 4, preheating must be started again before cooking step 4.

[0304] 21 and 22, the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is energized first to start the preheating operation, while the cooking process 1 is carried out in the heating chamber 6. In the configuration shown in FIG. The "linked preheat cooking mode" KM4 of this first embodiment is not limited to the case where cooking step 1 is performed in the heating chamber.

[0305] In another linked preheating cooking mode KM4, a heating operation is first started by the first heating means HM1, an object to be heated such as a frying pan is heated to a preheat target temperature (for example, 180°C), and when the target temperature is reached, an object to be cooked is placed on the object to be heated, thus starting cooking step 1. After this preheating step, the object to be cooked may be moved into heating chamber 6 while still on top of the object to be heated, and cooking step 2 may be performed in order to further heat the object together with the object in heating chamber 6 using second heating means HM2 or third heating means HM3.

[0306] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the heating control unit 43 until the transition to the combined cooking mode KM3.

[0307] In the combined cooking mode KM3 of this first embodiment, there is a pattern (first combined cooking mode) in which the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is driven first, and then at least one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 is driven. Typical examples of cooking menus suitable for cooking in this pattern include four items listed in the table in Figure 20, such as hamburger steak and gratin.

[0308] There is also a second cooperative cooking mode in which the order is reversed. Typical examples of cooking menus suitable for this second cooperative cooking mode are the four listed in the bottom half of the table in Figure 20, such as fried chicken and tempura.

[0309] The steps in FIG. 23 are common to both the first collaborative cooking mode and the second collaborative cooking mode. First, in the first step S1, the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is operated, which starts the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0310] In the next step S2, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and various information for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is displayed. In this step S2, in order to select a cooking menu for each cooperative cooking mode, the "name of the food to be cooked" (e.g., "hamburger steak") 167 is displayed as a type of identification information in the center of the first area 22 in the front-to-back direction, i.e., at the display position B.

[0311] Depending on the selection of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the timing at which the heating means (the first heating means HM1 to the third heating means HM3) are "occupied" may be either of the following two cases. (1) As described above, for example, after the case where the left IH coil 9L for cooking process 1 is selected (in FIG. 23, this corresponds to "occupied state start (case 2)" after step S4). (2) As shown in Figure 23, from step S2 onwards (in Figure 23, this corresponds to "Start of Occupancy State (Case 1)").

[0312] In the next step S3, it is determined whether at least one of input keys 154M and 155M has been operated. As described in Figures 10, 17, and 18, by operating two input keys 154M and 155M, it is possible to select identification information 167 indicating the name of an item to be cooked in the collaborative cooking mode (for example, hamburger steak).

[0313] If the input keys 154M and 155M are not operated (within a certain period of time), the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, as described above, the user selects one of the two heating unit specification sections 171L and 171R displayed on the first specification screen 16M1. By operating the input keys 157M and 156M adjacent to each other on the left and right, the user can select either the right IH coil 9R or the left IH coil 9L.

[0314] It is also possible to set the left heating outlet 4L as the default, display the heating unit specification section 171L first on the first specification screen 16M1, and proceed directly to step S5. In the example described in Fig. 17, when cooking hamburger steak using coordinated cooking, the left heating outlet 4L is set as the default, and the left IH coil 9L is set to be selected preferentially.

[0315] In the next step S5, it is determined whether an input operation has been performed to cancel the selection of the cooperative cooking mode. If the input key 152M has been operated once, the determination is "Yes." The process then returns to step S3. If the input key 152M has been operated twice consecutively within a certain short period of time (for example, five seconds), it is determined that the cooperative cooking mode KM3 has been canceled, and the process returns to the state of the standby initial screen before step S1. Therefore, the selection of the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3 returns to the initial stage.

[0316] On the other hand, if the input key 151M is operated while the input key 152M is not operated, the process proceeds to the next step S6, where cooking step 1 of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is started.

[0317] 23, in step S7, in the operation program for the cooperative cooking mode KM3, various functional parts are activated according to the "cooking condition data" and "control condition data" of a specific cooperative cooking menu (recipe) such as "hamburger steak." In other words, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is entered from this stage.

[0318] First, in step S7, the display unit corresponding to the heating unit selected in step 4 is activated. However, in the case of a cooking menu (for example, "fried chicken" as described above) that uses microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) or third heating means HM3 in cooking step 1, central display unit 16M is already activated, so no new display unit is activated in step S7.

[0319] In the case of a cooking menu that uses the left IH coil 9L in cooking step 1, for example, the left display unit 16L is activated in step S7. The input function of the left operation unit 15L is then enabled, and the system waits for user input. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0320] In step S8, the operation of the input key 153L is awaited, and the cooking process of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is started. The display content of the first specific screen 16M1 in step S8 includes process information 172, such as the fact that the left IH coil 9L is used in the first cooking process 1, and that a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) is used in the next cooking process 2, as described in FIG. 17.

[0321] Next, Fig. 24 and Fig. 25 will be described. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing the control operation of heating control unit 43 until the transition to the cooperative cooking mode. Fig. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the permission conditions and the determination results before the transition to the cooperative cooking mode.

[0322] Referring to FIG. Steps ST1 to ST8 are operation steps defined in the operation program (including cooking condition data) of the heating control unit 43 for the combined cooking mode KM3. First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (ST1), the next step ST2 is a step in which the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not there is an abnormality.

[0323] At step ST2, central display unit 16M is activated and displays a message that "There is no abnormality, so cooking can begin." At this stage, heating control unit 43 also checks whether it has received a setting command from input operation unit 15 regarding the upper limit of total power consumption.

[0324] At step ST2, if the setting is such that startup information is sent from the cooking appliance 1 to the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300, the startup information (operating status data OS) is sent wirelessly from the communication unit 51 at this stage.

[0325] In the next step ST3, the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 51 also provide notification and audio guidance to prompt the user to select the heating means. In the next step ST4, the central display section 16M displays the initial standby screen, and also displays usage precautions for the user.

[0326] Then, it is determined whether an input key other than input key 153M (for example, 154M) has been operated (ST5). If input key 153M has been operated, step STC becomes "No" and the process proceeds to step ST6. That is, the process proceeds to the step of using the "combined cooking mode" KM3.

[0327] In step ST6, the permission condition determination unit 54 checks whether the "permission conditions" are met. For example, it checks the usage status of the heat source used in the "combined cooking mode" KM3. The permission conditions and the judgment results will be explained in detail in the next Figure 25.

[0328] In step ST5, the first input operation is checked. For example, it is determined whether the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R was operated before pressing the input key 153M, and it is also determined whether the "combined cooking mode" KM2 was selected by the central operation unit 15M (by using the input key 154M or 155M).

[0329] If the input key 153M is operated for the first time within a certain grace period (for example, 30 seconds) from step ST3, the display for the "combined cooking mode" KM3 starts as described above.

[0330] On the other hand, if the input key 153M is not operated and another input key (for example, the input key 155M or 154M) is touched, the determination in step ST5 is "Yes," and the process proceeds to step ST9 to start cooking in a mode other than the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3. A detailed description of step ST9 will be omitted here.

[0331] In FIG. 23, steps ST6 and ST7 are operation steps of "permission condition 1" that determine whether cooking in the "combined cooking mode" KM3 is permitted. Step ST6 is a stage for determining "permission condition 1."

[0332] Here, "Permission Condition 1" means: (1) The "peak cut value" that specifies the upper limit of the maximum power that can be used by the heating cooker 1 is 5000W or more. (2) When a power reduction command signal is received by the control device 40 via the communication unit 51 from the external cloud server 300 or the information terminal device 200, the peak cut value of the reduction command is 5000 W or more; If these two conditions are met, the result of step ST6 is "Yes."

[0333] The "permission condition 2" in the next step ST7 is the following three. (1) In the first heating means HM1, the central heating port 4C is not in heating operation. (2) Either the second heating means HM2 or the third heating means HM3, or both of them, are not in heating operation.

[0334] (3) In the first heating means HM1, neither the right heating port 4R nor the left heating port 4L is being used for heating (or only one of them is being used for heating). In other words, neither the left IH coil 9L nor the right IH coil 9R is being used for heating.

[0335] If the above three conditions are met, the determination in step ST7 is "Yes," and the process proceeds to step ST10. That is, the process can proceed to the step of inputting a command to start cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0336] If the determinations in steps ST6 and ST7 are "No," the process proceeds to step ST8, and the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 50 notify the user that the combined cooking mode KM3 cannot be selected.

[0337] Here, we will explain the meaning of the provision that "5000 W or more" in the "permission condition 1" above. For simplicity, the following explanation will not specifically mention the power consumption of electrical components other than the heat source, such as the internal cooling fan (not shown) of the main body 2.

[0338] The reason why the required demand (pre-securing of power demand) when implementing the "Cooperative Cooking Mode" KM3 is 5000W or more is because the maximum (instantaneous) power consumed by each heating source during operation in cooperative cooking mode is as follows:

[0339] (1) Microwave operation (second heating means HM2): 1000W (2) Oven operation: 2000 W (upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000 W, lower radiant heat heating means 12b: 1000 W) (3) Range grill operation: 1500W (second heating means HM2: 500W, upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000W)

[0340] On the other hand, the maximum power consumption for the cooking menu in the "Cooperative Cooking Mode" KM3 is 1500W. Therefore, in the combined cooking mode, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 may operate simultaneously.

[0341] In other words, the maximum power is 3500W, which is the sum of the 1000W of the second heating means HM2, the 1000W of the third heating means HM3 (2000W is achieved by alternating current of 1000W each), and the 1500W of the first heating means HM1 which performs induction heating.

[0342] If the demand (pre-securing power demand) is 5000W: When the right IH coil 9R is heating at 3000W (normal heating), the remaining demand is 2000W. If "Coordinated Cooking Mode" KM3 is implemented from this state, the remaining demand is 1500W short of the 3500W of power required for coordinated cooking, so the heat output of the right IH coil 9R is reduced to 1500W (from 3000W) and coordinated cooking can be started.

[0343] If the demand (pre-determined power demand) is 4000W: When frying food using right heating outlet 4R (requiring a maximum of 1500W), the remaining demand will be 2500W. If coordinated cooking is performed from this state, the remaining demand is 1000W short of the 3500W of power required for coordinated cooking, so the heat power of the right IH coil must be reduced. However, if the heat power is reduced while the automatic control menu is running, cooking will not go well, so the heat power for the automatic control menu cannot be reduced. In the end, 4000W is not enough to provide the necessary heat output for the automatic control menu.

[0344] As is clear from the above explanation, before starting the "coordinated cooking mode" KM3, it is necessary to determine (confirm) whether there is a demand (pre-reservation of power demand) of 5000W, which is the sum of the power required for coordinated cooking (3500W) and the power required for the cooking menu of the right heating port 4R or the left heating port 4L (1500W).

[0345] Next, FIG. 25 will be described. Fig. 25 shows the determination processing of steps ST6 and ST7 in Fig. 24. These determinations are executed by the permission condition determination unit 54. Step ST5 is the stage where the input key 153M is operated. In the next step STX1, the permission condition determination unit 54 of the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking device 1 with the permission conditions 1 and 2 described above, and determines whether the state satisfies permission conditions 1 and 2.

[0346] 25, voice (notification) 1 to voice (notification) 4 indicate the contents notified to the user by the voice notification unit 50. That is, this is a specific example of the contents of step ST8 in FIG.

[0347] Display 1 to Display 4 in Fig. 25 show the contents displayed on the central display unit 16M. Note that Display 1 to Display 4 are not displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 that is displayed from step S2 in Fig. 23 onwards, but are displayed on the central display unit 16M where the first specific screen is not displayed.

[0348] The first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites for transitioning to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 (permission conditions 1 and 2) are met. Therefore, after the user sets (selects) various conditions for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 (for example, the identification information 167), it is not determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not met, and the screen does not return to the initial standby screen (step ST4 in FIG. 24). Therefore, the user is not forced to perform unnecessary input operations.

[0349] FIG. 26 illustrates the operation from when the cooking appliance 1 is started up until when recipe information (cooking condition data) for cooking for the cooking appliance 1 is acquired from the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300.

[0350] In this embodiment 1, the cooking condition data for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 includes, but is not limited to, the number (identification information) of the cooperative cooking menu, the order of the multiple heating means to be used, the heating means to be used in cooking step 1, the heating means to be used in cooking step 2, and if there are cooking steps 3 and beyond, the heating means to be used for each of those cooking steps, and if there are default (standard setting) control conditions (heat power, heating time, target heating temperature, etc.) for each cooking step, the setting value or range of setting values.

[0351] In FIG. 26, steps SS1 to SS8 are operation steps defined in the integrated control program of the control device 40, and basically match the content defined in the operation program of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 described in FIG.

[0352] First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (SS1), the next step SS2 is a step in which the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not there is an abnormality.

[0353] Steps SS1 to SS4 are the same as steps ST1 to ST4 described with reference to FIG. 24, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0354] In step SS5, the cooking appliance 1 operates to ask the user to confirm in advance whether or not to transmit a signal requesting the provision of cooking recipe information (cooking condition data) to the pre-registered smartphone (information terminal device) 200 or cloud server 300. A confirmation screen is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and the audio notification unit 50 also notifies the user.

[0355] If the user sets in advance using the function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 7) of the input operation unit 15 to automatically execute the external connection in step SS5, it will be executed automatically at a specified timing.

[0356] That is, as described with reference to FIG. 1, pairing between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 can be automatically performed, and wireless communication 400 between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 can be established.

[0357] The external connection in step SS5 is performed by repeatedly transmitting and receiving signals alternately several times between the cooking appliance 1 and an external communication device (such as the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300). For example, when the cooking appliance 1 first transmits a standby signal 1, the external communication device receives the standby signal 1 and transmits a setting signal 1 including setting information. In response to this, the cooking appliance 1 checks its internal standby state (for example, the set value of the total power consumption, etc.) and, if there are no problems, transmits a standby signal 2 to proceed to the next step. This is the process.

[0358] Then, finally, reception of the necessary setting information (including cooking condition data) from the external communication device is completed. In other words, the cooking appliance 1 performs alternating communication several times, such as returning a confirmation signal immediately after receiving the setting information once, and finally completes reception of the necessary setting information. In this series of steps, there is a step that asks the user to decide whether or not to receive the cooking condition data CD. In other words, in this cooking appliance 1, there is a step that allows the user to clearly and in advance know that the cooking condition data CD will be received, so that the cooking appliance 1 is prevented from proceeding to the execution stage of the cooking condition data CD without the user's knowledge.

[0359] On the other hand, if the above-mentioned external connection is not set to be automatically executed, in step SS6, a predetermined icon or the like is displayed on the central display unit 16M to notify the user that recipe information (cooking condition data) is available. This is shown on the display screen 2C in FIG. 28. The display notifying the user is, for example, simply displayed in text, as shown by 60P on the display screen 2C. 60P is called acquisition operation support information.

[0360] If the user does not agree to the connection to the external device (such as the smartphone 200) in step SS6, a non-reception message such as "receipt of recipe information (cooking condition data) is not currently being received" is sent to the registered external device (the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300) as shown in step SS9. In this way, the user can also set to refuse reception.

[0361] On the other hand, if the user agrees to connect to the external device and issues an instruction to acquire data in step SS6, the data acquisition unit 53 of the cooking appliance 1 acquires recipe information (cooking condition data) from the external device via the communication unit 51. The acquired recipe information is stored in a predetermined "temporary storage unit" (not shown) in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 (step SS7).

[0362] In the next step SS8, the contents of the recipe information acquired from the external device, particularly the identification information 167, are displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, the audio notification unit 50 notifies the fact of reception, for example, by saying, "A hamburger recipe has been received."

[0363] In this embodiment 1, the control device 40 is programmed to allow the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the cooking condition data if the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC (input key 180) is operated during the standby period in which the control device 40 waits for a command to start the heating operation after the main power switch 20 is turned on and power supply is started.

[0364] That is, if the user presses the input key 180 at the stage of step SS6, the step is judged as "Yes" and acquisition of cooking condition data is permitted.

[0365] In Figure 26, steps SS5 to SS8 are one of the optional functions that can be set using the function setting key 151KP. In other words, steps SS5 to SS8 enclosed by a dashed line in Figure 25 are an embodiment in which the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC (input key 180) is used to determine whether or not to acquire cooking control data.

[0366] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing specific operation steps of the control device 40 when the optional function shown in FIG. 26 is used.

[0367] In FIG. 27, steps up to step SS5 are the same as those explained in FIG. 26, so a duplicate explanation will be omitted. In step SS5, if the standby initial screen 16MH of the central display unit 16M displays whether to send a signal to the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 requesting the provision of cooking recipe information (cooking condition data), the user can obtain the cooking condition data using the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC (input key 180).

[0368] Step SS10 is a step for determining whether or not the voice input combined mode selection section VMC (input key 180) has been operated. If the input key 180 has been pressed once, the answer here becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SS11.

[0369] If the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the cooking condition data via the communication unit 51, step SS11 becomes "Yes." The acquired cooking condition data is checked to see if it satisfies the above-mentioned "permission conditions" (see FIG. 25), and if so, step SS12 becomes "Yes."

[0370] If the permission conditions are not met, as explained in step ST8 of FIG. 24, the communication unit 51 transmits a signal (data) to the outside to notify that the cooking condition data cannot be received (SS19).

[0371] If the permission conditions are met, the determined cooking condition data is stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the cooking condition data storage unit 42 as regular data. Furthermore, the identification information and control conditions included in the cooking condition data are displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 displayed on the central display unit 16 (step SS13).

[0372] The control conditions (for example, heating time, target heating temperature, heating power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 can be changed as needed by operating the input keys 156M to 159M of the central operation unit 15M (steps SS14, SS15).

[0373] On the other hand, if the voice input combined mode selection section VMC (input key 180) is not operated in step SS10, the process proceeds to step SS16. In step SS16, if the input key 153M is operated, that is, if the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is selected, it means that the "touch input mode" TM is selected. In other words, if input key 153M, 154M, etc. is pressed without operating input key 180 even once after startup, "touch input mode" TM is selected, and this state is maintained thereafter.

[0374] Once "Touch Input Mode" TM is selected, "Touch Input Mode" will continue until one cooking menu is completed. It will not switch to "Voice Input Combined Mode" VM at any stage. This is because switching in the middle of the cooking process could cause confusion for the user.

[0375] If you want to enter the combined voice input mode, just press the input key 180 at any point in the process. From the point at which you press the input key, the combined voice input mode will be maintained no matter how many times you input voice or whether you input any voice at all. However, if you press the input key 180 once more during the combined voice input mode, the combined voice input mode will be canceled at that point.

[0376] If the input key 153M is operated in step SS16, the process returns to step SS11, and the operation of acquiring cooking condition data is performed.

[0377] If the input key 153M is not operated in step SS16, the process proceeds to step SS17. If no other cooking mode is selected in step SS17, the process proceeds to step SS18.

[0378] Step SS18 measures the "elapsed time" of the cycle of steps SS10, SS16, SS17, etc. For example, if 30 minutes have elapsed, it is assumed that the user has somehow forgotten to perform the input operation or is unable to perform the operation, and the control device 40 forcibly opens the main power switch 20 for safety reasons. Before the power is cut off, an alarm may be sounded from the audio alarm unit 50 of the alarm unit 90, or the audio alarm unit 50 may issue an audio warning.

[0379] The "elapsed time" may be, for example, the time elapsed since the first determination was made in step SS10. Alternatively, it may be the time elapsed since the first step SS5 in which the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed.

[0380] The "elapsed time" (period) managed by step SS18 is hereinafter referred to as a "first limit period" RT1.

[0381] In step SS16, the "touch input mode" TM was selected by operating the input key 153M, so in step SS17, the selection of other cooking modes (combined cooking mode KM2, single cooking mode KM1) is performed by directly operating the input key 154M, etc., without using the audio signal receiving unit 56.

[0382] Next, FIG. 28 will be described. FIG. 28 shows the display contents of the central display section 16M corresponding to each operation step explained in FIG.

[0383] Referring to Figure 28, when the main power switch 20 is turned off, the central display unit 16M is not activated and therefore does not display any information. When the main power switch 20 is turned on, the control device 40 performs a self-diagnosis of whether or not there is an abnormality as described above, and then displays the display screen 1 of FIG. 27 on the central display unit 16M.

[0384] 28, 60A is a display message notifying that the power is on. 60B is two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) for guiding to recipe information providing server 301, a dedicated recipe posting site, via networks (Internet) 203, 204. 60C is text explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code (hereinafter, "two-dimensional information explanation text").

[0385] When the two-dimensional code 60B is optically read by the smartphone 200, it can be guided and connected to the recipe information providing server 301 that stores information on various cooking recipes. This two-dimensional information explanation 60C and the display text 60A are a type of "common information during standby" 60N.

[0386] After the display screen 1 in FIG. 28 is displayed, the display screen 2A or 2B may be automatically displayed. Furthermore, after the display screen 2A or 2B of Fig. 28 is displayed, the display screen 2C may be automatically displayed. On this display screen 2C, a recommendation 60H is displayed to prompt the user to perform an input operation to select a heating source.

[0387] On the display screen 2A, the text "Caution: Bumping" is one of the warning symbols 60E. This "bumping" refers to the phenomenon where, when heating a viscous food (liquid) such as curry or stew, the inside of the food overheats above its boiling point, causing sudden, violent boiling. As steam escapes from the heated liquid, hot droplets can fly, creating a dangerous situation. The timing and cause of bumping are said to be the introduction of foreign matter or impact from outside. Therefore, when a metal pot or other food containing food is placed on the top plate 3 and induction heated, caution is advised when stirring the food. The information displayed in this warning is a type of "Standby Common Information" 60N.

[0388] The four display screens, namely, display screen 1 and display screens 2A to 2C shown in Fig. 28, are called "common screens" or "standby initial screens" 16MH. Note that forms other than these four may also be included in the common screen 16MH.

[0389] On display screen 2B, 60E is a caution display warning that the temperature inside heating chamber 6 is high and to avoid careless contact. If control device 40 detects that heating chamber 6 has not yet cooled down sufficiently after oven cooking has been performed in heating chamber 6, the display screen 2B will automatically switch to this state.

[0390] Although the display screens 2A and 2B cannot be displayed simultaneously, they may be displayed alternately at intervals of a few seconds to alert users to both the bumping boiling indication and the high temperature indication. The alerts displayed on the display screens 2A and 2B may also be issued in parallel via audio notification unit 50.

[0391] On the display screen 2C of Fig. 28, 60P is the above-mentioned acquisition operation support information. As shown in Fig. 27, the user can recognize that the cooking appliance 1 acquires cooking condition data from the smartphone 200 or the like and stores the acquired data in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 (see Fig. 12) by pressing the input key 180 (the audio notification unit 50 may notify the user by audio in conjunction with this display).

[0392] As is clear from display screen 1 to display screens 2A to 2C in Fig. 28, the display of these various pieces of information, including acquisition operation support information 60P, utilizes the entire display screen. In other words, rather than displaying the information partially in any of the first area 22 to third area 24 described above, in order to secure as large a display area as possible, the first area 22 to third area 24 are displayed as an integrated display so that they cannot be distinguished from one another, and the user sees the information displayed in the entire central display portion 16M.

[0393] Next, FIG. 29 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the operation of the left display part 16L of the cooking appliance 1. As shown in FIG. At step SS4 in Fig. 26, when input key 153L and input key 152L are operated, control menus to be implemented in left heating port 4L are displayed one by one on left display unit 16L. That is, each time input key 152L is pressed, one of the multiple control menus can be selected.

[0394] The control menus that can be selected for the left heating port 4L (in induction heating single cooking mode KM1) include, for example, "keep warm," "boil water," "stewing," "frying (automatic cooking)," and "preheating." The operating time, heat power, or operating pattern of the left IH coil 9L differs for each control menu.

[0395] Display screen 3A in Figure 29 shows the case where the "Keep Warm" control menu is selected. Display screen 3B shows the case where the "Deep Fry" control menu is selected. Display screen 3C shows the case where the "Preheat" control menu is selected.

[0396] When the control menu (for the induction heating only cooking mode KM1) is selected using the central IH coil 9M that is responsible for the central heating port 4C on the central display unit 16M, the display screen 3A shown in Fig. 29 is displayed. In this case, the central display unit 16M has a display form similar to that of the display screen 3A, and this screen is called a "third specific screen" 16M3.

[0397] Next, FIG. 30 will be described. FIG. 30 illustrates the operation steps of the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 from when the cooking appliance 1 is started until just before cooking begins.

[0398] In Figure 30, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M, a determination is made as to whether recipe information (cooking condition data) has been acquired from an external device (the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300) (step SU2).

[0399] In step SU3, the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking appliance 1 with the latest state and determines whether the state satisfies the permission conditions 1 and 2.

[0400] If it is determined that permission conditions 1 and 2 are simultaneously satisfied (SU6), the identification information included in the recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from the external device (the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300) is displayed on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the identification information 167 (for example, "Name: Hamburger") is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SU7).

[0401] The identification information 167 (for example, "Name: Hamburger") is displayed as shown in FIG. 31. An operation recommendation display section 170 is also displayed. This prompts the user to press the input key 151M to start cooking. The audio notification section 50 also notifies the user, for example, "Press the start key to start cooking" (step SU8).

[0402] After step SU7, if the user presses either input key 158M or 159M once, a food component display screen 16M1A (described later) is displayed. If the user further presses either input key 158M or 159M once, a food component display screen 16M1B (described later) is displayed.

[0403] At the stage of step SU8, the user may operate an input key (for example, 156M or 155M) that can select a control condition (for example, heating power value) to set the heating power, heating time, etc. as appropriate.

[0404] On the other hand, a case where, at the stage of step SU3, the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking appliance 1 and determines that the state does not satisfy the permission conditions 1 and 2 (step SU4) will be described.

[0405] The content of the standby initial screen 16HM in the central display section 16M is partially changed, and a message is displayed in text indicating that the recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from the external device cannot be executed with the current cooking appliance 1. The same message is also notified by voice from the voice notification section 50 (step SU5). Then, the process returns to step SU1. This operation corresponds to the operation of step ST8 described in FIG. 24.

[0406] Next, FIG. 31 will be described. FIG. 31 is an enlarged plan view showing the same parts as those described in FIG. 17, and shows central operation unit 15M and central display unit 16M.

[0407] 30, reference numeral 173 denotes an external recipe identification section indicating that the recipe information (cooking condition data CD) is obtained from an external device (the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300). The text "Received recipe" is displayed, making it easy to see that the cooking menu displayed on this first specific screen 16M1 has been obtained from an external device.

[0408] In Figure 31, light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to input key 151M is in a standby state where the heating operation can be started at any time. To indicate this, it is flashing to prompt the user to operate input key 151M. The dashed circle indicates that light-emitting unit 21M is flashing.

[0409] 31, a star-shaped figure is drawn at the position of light-emitting unit 21M. This figure means that the input functions of the input keys (e.g., 156M, 157M) arranged in front of light-emitting unit 21M are valid, and that by touching them at this point, the heat, heating time, etc. can be adjusted.

[0410] 31, light-emitting units 21M corresponding to input keys 157M and 156M are emitting light. That is, the user can select either heating unit specification unit 171L for selecting cooking using left heating port 4L, or heating unit specification unit 171R for selecting cooking using right heating port 4R.

[0411] Recipe information (cooking condition data CD) acquired from an external device is displayed preferentially on the first specific screen 16M1 by displaying the external recipe identification section 173. That is, the identification information 167 of the received recipe information (cooking condition data) is displayed in the "display position B" of the first specific screen 16M1. Therefore, by pressing the input key 151M as shown in FIG. 31, cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 can be started immediately.

[0412] As described above, there are two types of recipe information (cooking condition data CD) acquired from an external device (the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300): one in which cooking is limited to specific heating elements (right heating port 4R, center heating port 4C, left heating port 4L), and one in which cooking can be performed by specifying the range of heating elements that can be used according to the user's wishes. Therefore, even when a user uses recipe information acquired from an external device, usability is not impaired.

[0413] Next, we will explain Fig. 32. Fig. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cooking steps of the collaborative cooking menu and the operations on the input operation unit. In the example of FIG. 32, the cooperative cooking menu is made up of three cooking steps: cooking step 1, cooking step 2, and cooking step 3.

[0414] 32, the cooking condition data is specified in a predetermined computer program format to wait for input of input key 151M to start induction heating operation at right heating port 4R (or left heating port 4L), and to stop the heating operation when input key 153R (153L) is pressed, or to stop the heating operation when certain conditions (continuous cooking time or reaching of target temperature) are met. Control conditions such as heat power may also be specified.

[0415] The program included in the cooking condition data defines heating pause periods P3 and P5, which will be described later, but does not define the duration of these heating pause periods P3 and P5. However, to prevent cooking from being interrupted for an excessively long time, it is possible to include a process that counts the elapsed time for each of cooking steps 1 and 2, for example, based on the end of each step, and issues an alarm and forcibly stops the execution of the cooking menu when, for example, 30 minutes have elapsed.

[0416] In the example of cooking condition data CD in Figure 32, cooking step 1 is performed using an induction heating source (first heating means HM1), cooking step 2 is performed using a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2), and finally cooking step 3 is provided in which the food to be cooked is moved onto top plate 3 and final induction heating is performed to compensate for insufficient heating.

[0417] In addition, in this cooking device 1, a measure is added to prevent the setting of cooking modes, control conditions, etc. from being inadvertently changed in response to an external command signal.

[0418] In the example of Figure 32, the first heating means HM1 is operated first, and after that heating operation is completed, the second heating means HM2 is operated, but the radiant heat heating means 12 may also be operated as the third heating means simultaneously with the second heating means HM2.

[0419] As shown in FIG. 32, the collaborative cooking menu shown here consists of four steps. P1 is the first stage (preparation period), which is the period from when input key 153M is operated to execute the cooperative cooking menu until the (induction) heating cooking operation is started by input key 153R.

[0420] When the input key 153M is operated, if the "permission condition" as described above is satisfied, the control device 40 displays the first specific screen 16M1. Note that the first specific screen 16M1 is not shown in FIG. 32.

[0421] When the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, one of the linked cooking menus can be selected by operating input keys 154M and 155M. After that, by operating input key 153R, the system switches to linked cooking mode (using right heating port 4R) and proceeds to the cooking step P2.

[0422] When the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, if the identification information 167 of the user's desired collaborative cooking menu is displayed in a predetermined position on the first specific screen 16M1 (default display), there is no need to operate the input keys 154M and 155M.

[0423] P2 is the cooking period (cooking step 1) by the first heating means HM1. In this cooking step 1, when an appropriate food to be cooked, such as a metal pot, is placed on the right heating port 4R and the input key 153R is pressed, the cooking operation is started.

[0424] At the stage when cooking step 1 is started, the control device 40 has already finished determining whether the permission conditions are met, and therefore knows which heating section of the first heating means HM1 (induction heating means) is in use. In other words, it knows the usage status of both the right heating port 4R and the left heating port 4L. Therefore, as a default setting, the control device 40 determines to use the "right heating section" 4R in cooking step 3 of the cooperative cooking mode, and occupies this right heating port 4R.

[0425] Cooking step 1 is basically predetermined by the operation program of the linked cooking menu. For example, when the standard heating time has elapsed, a notification is made by the audio notification unit 50, and the first specific screen 16M1 also displays a message such as "X minutes will soon have elapsed." In other words, the user is notified that cooking step 1 is nearing completion. To end cooking step 1, the user simply presses the input key 153R once.

[0426] P3 is a heating pause period during which cooking step 1 by the first heating means HM1 is temporarily stopped and cooking step 2 by the second heating means HM2 is started.

[0427] This pause period P3 is a period required to check the degree of heating of the food in cooking step 1, to add seasonings, or to add another food and perform cooking step 2. It is also a period required to move the food to heating chamber 6. The heating pause step P3 ends when the input key 151M is pressed, and the process proceeds to the cooking step 2 of P4.

[0428] This cooking process 2 is started when the control device 40 confirms that the door 7 has been opened once during the pause period P3 and then closed. The door open / close signal from the open / close detection unit 10 is used by the control device 40.

[0429] Cooking step 2 basically ends automatically when the heating time predetermined by the operation program of the linked cooking menu has elapsed or when the temperature of the food to be cooked reaches a set value (e.g., 90°C). For example, in one linked cooking menu, heating begins with a microwave output of 500 W. Furthermore, if the user opens door 7 at any time, microwave irradiation is instantly stopped and the heating operation is stopped.

[0430] In cooking step 2 of P4, the user may be able to individually set control conditions (e.g., cooking time and target temperature) by operating at least one of the four input keys 156M to 159M, but depending on the cooking menu, the user may not be able to change the control conditions.

[0431] 32 shows the case where the input key 152M on the central operation unit 15M is pressed to end cooking process 2. When the input key 152M is pressed to command the cooking to stop, cooking process 2 ends and the process proceeds to the heating pause period P5.

[0432] During this heating pause period P5, the user opens the door 7, removes the food to be cooked from inside the heating chamber 6, and places it on the top plate 3. The food to be cooked is placed inside a heated object such as a metal pot. Then, when the input key 153R for the right heating unit 4 is pressed to command the start of cooking, the heating pause step P5 ends and the process proceeds to the heating cooking period P6 (the "cooking step 3" of induction heating).

[0433] This heating pause period P5 is the period required to check the degree of heating of the food in cooking step 2, add seasonings, or add another food to be cooked and proceed to the next cooking step 3. For example, in cooking step 2, only frozen food can be heated, and in cooking step 3, the food can be immersed in seasonings or cooking liquid, or a food that has been preheated separately can be added to the same food. This broadens the range of cooking options.

[0434] P6 switches from cooking step 2 using the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating source) to cooking step 3 using the first heating means HM1 (in this case, induction heating means, for example, the right heating port 4R). In this cooking step 3, when cooking using the right heating port 4R as described above, the user can individually set control conditions (for example, cooking time and target temperature) by operating input keys 154R and 155R (see Figure 8).

[0435] Furthermore, if cooking step 3 is performed using left heating port 4L, the user can individually set control conditions (for example, cooking time and target temperature) by operating input keys 154L and 155L.

[0436] Then, when input key 153R is pressed to command stopping cooking, cooking step 3 ends and operation in the linked cooking mode ends. In the case of timer cooking, induction heating cooking ends automatically when the time has elapsed, and cooking step 3 ends.

[0437] As is clear from Fig. 32, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R becomes unusable from the point at which the start of cooking is decided using the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M, not when the linked cooking menu is selected, i.e., when the identification information 167 indicating the name of the cooking on the linked cooking menu is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Note that if the left heating port 4L is set as the default setting, the left heating port 4L will be occupied.

[0438] As is clear from the above description, the control device 40 performs the following function restriction process. (1) The input signal from the right operation unit 15R is disabled or input is restricted. For example, the input functions of the input keys 151R and 152R are disabled. As a result, during the cooking period (cooking step 1) to cooking period (cooking step 3), the right heating port 4R cannot be used (input) except when input is required in the linked cooking mode KM3. (2) Even when the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) begins, the left operating unit 15L can be used (the input signal from the left operating unit 15L is not invalidated).

[0439] In this way, when the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) begins, the control device 40 moves from the cooking step 1 stage to a state in which only the right heating port 4R for cooking step 3 is occupied.

[0440] Therefore, the right heating port 4R is "occupied" by the selection of the linked cooking menu. Also, when viewed from the perspective of the first heating means HM1 as a whole, the use of only a portion (the right side) of the three heating sections is "restricted."

[0441] Even after the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) ends, the restricted state of the right heating port 4R is not released. In addition, during the cooking process 1, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, and the user can easily understand that the cooperative cooking mode has been entered, so the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are not restricted from executing other cooking menus. This also applies to the heating pause period P3 to cooking process 2.

[0442] Furthermore, even if the control device 40 detects that the door 7 has changed from an open state to a closed state before the start of the heating cooking period (cooking process 2), if the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is higher than the reference value, there is a concern that the control device 40, the non-contact (infrared) sensor 13, and thermistor sensor 14 may mistakenly recognize the abnormally high temperature in the heating chamber 6 as indicating that cooking has been completed even before cooking has started. Therefore, if the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is too high before the start of the heating cooking period (cooking process 1), the first specific screen 15M1 displays a message that "the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) cannot be used immediately due to high temperature."

[0443] The periods indicated by thick arrows in FIG. 32 are the reception restriction period for one cooking condition data (recipe data) and the acquisition restriction period for additional cooking condition data (recipe data).

[0444] After the input key 153M is touched once and the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, the limiting unit 55 performs the limiting operation as follows. It should be noted that the communication unit 51 enables the reception and transmission functions at the time the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (before that, at least the reception function is disabled).

[0445] That is, the limiting unit 55 built into the control device 40 operates as follows. As shown in Figure 32, it is not possible to change cooking menu A of a specific linked cooking mode OK3 obtained from outside to another cooking menu B (for example, "hamburger steak") of the same linked cooking mode KM3. To change it, it is necessary to operate input key 152M to cancel linked cooking mode KM3 and return to the initial standby screen 16MH.

[0446] In other words, once the time limit indicated by the thick arrow in Fig. 32 is reached, the cooking using the specific linked cooking menu A obtained from an external device can be canceled at any time by operating the input key 152M. Once the cancellation operation is performed, the display returns to the initial standby screen 16MH, and it is necessary to touch the input key 153M again in this state.

[0447] Furthermore, after the input key 153M is touched for a specific linked cooking menu A obtained from outside, the control device 40 cannot obtain cooking condition data (recipe data) for another linked cooking menu C from outside (such as the smartphone 200) until all cooking processes are completed.

[0448] In other words, when the limited period indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 32 begins, by operating input key 151M, it is possible to decide to start cooking in cooperative cooking mode KM3, and to perform cooking using the cooking condition data (recipe data) of the specific cooperative cooking menu A obtained immediately before this decision, but it is not possible to obtain any additional cooking condition data (recipe data) from outside until all cooking steps of this cooking menu A are completed.

[0449] Next, FIGS. 33 to 37 will be described. FIG. 33 is a time chart 1 for explaining the entire period in which cooking condition data (recipe data CD) can be acquired and control operations in the cooking appliance 1.

[0450] In FIG. 33, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operation of the control device 40. First, the control device 40 detects that the main power switch 20 has been turned on (step SA1), transmits data indicating that the device has been started (operating status data OS) from the communication unit 51 to the outside, and starts a self-diagnosis mode (SA2). That is, the control device 40 checks whether the components of the cooking appliance 1, such as the circuits and sensors, are normal.

[0451] Next, the display unit 16 is activated to display the standby initial screen 16MH (SA3), and thereafter, a display is displayed on the standby initial screen 16MH to prompt the user to select a heating means, and similar audio guidance is provided by the audio notification unit 50 (SA3A).

[0452] The "initial standby period" TP in this embodiment 1 is the period that begins from step SA3A, and ends when the input key for starting the heating operation is pressed. In the combined cooking mode KM3, the input key for starting the heating operation is input key 151M.

[0453] The initial waiting period TP cannot exceed the first limit period (first time limit TR1), which is, for example, 30 minutes or less, as determined by the process of step SS18 described in FIG.

[0454] Next, during the initial standby period TP while waiting for a command to start the heating operation, if the input key (voice input switch) 180, which also serves as the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC, is pressed (step TL4), and input key 153M is also operated, the "recipe acquisition permission condition" described below is satisfied. Then, the program permits the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the cooking condition data. This stage corresponds to step SS10 described in FIG. 27.

[0455] That is, if the user presses the input key 180 at the stage of step SS6, the step is judged as "Yes" and acquisition of cooking condition data is permitted.

[0456] Next, the user operates the input key 153M to select the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (step SA4). Then, during the initial waiting period TP, the two input keys, input key 180 and input key 153M, are pressed consecutively within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes), so the "recipe acquisition condition" is met at the time of step SA4.

[0457] As shown in FIG. 33, if the "recipe acquisition condition" is met during the initial standby period TP, the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire cooking condition data for the cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 via the communication unit 51 only once.

[0458] Furthermore, during the initial standby period TP, the cooking condition data of the cooking menu of the linked cooking mode KM3 acquired from the outside can be cancelled by using the input key 152M. In practice, during the initial standby period TP, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed first, and after the identification information 167 of the cooking condition data is displayed on that screen, the enter key 151M may be pressed.

[0459] Furthermore, during the initial standby period TP, the control conditions of the acquired cooking condition data can be changed as appropriate by operating the input keys 156M to 159M (some control conditions cannot be changed). In this case, the control conditions are also displayed on the first specific screen 16M1, so all that is required is to look at the display and press the input key 156M, etc.

[0460] As described above, the initial standby period TP ends when the input key 151M is operated (SA7), and the actual heating operation starts immediately thereafter (SA9). As described above, the initial standby period TP ends at step SA9, and after this, cooking condition data for another cooking menu of the linked cooking mode KM3 cannot be obtained from outside (however, if the linked cooking mode KM3 is canceled using input key 152M during the cooking process, cooking condition data can be obtained again).

[0461] The time difference between step TL4 and step SA4 in Fig. 33 is limited to 30 minutes. If 30 minutes is exceeded, the control device 40 will forcibly turn off the main power switch 20 for safety reasons, since there is a possibility that the user may have forgotten to input an operation. Alternatively, it will issue a command to the audio notification unit 51 to issue an alarm or perform other operation.

[0462] Instead of restricting the time difference between step TL4 and step SA4 to within 30 minutes, the period from step SA3A to step SA4, which is the point at which the initial waiting period TP begins, may be restricted to within 30 minutes.

[0463] As is clear from FIG. 33, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 in the initial standby period TP is the period TB1 during which cooking condition data (recipe data) for the cooperative cooking mode can be acquired.

[0464] Within the initial standby period TP, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is a cancellation period TB2 during which the cooking condition data (recipe data) in the cooperative cooking mode can be canceled. Within the initial standby period TP, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is a control data changeable period TB3 for the cooking condition data (recipe data) in the cooperative cooking mode.

[0465] During the initial standby period TP, if the input key 180 is pressed first and then the input key 153M is pressed consecutively within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes), normally, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, on which identification information 167 indicating, for example, "hamburger steak" is displayed in accordance with the cooking condition data of a predetermined (associated) cooking menu stored in the memory device 41.

[0466] However, regardless of this display state, if the communication terminal 200 transmits the "cooking condition data CD1" for a cooking menu of another cooperative cooking mode KM3 to the cooker 1, the data acquisition unit 53 acquires the "cooking condition data CD1" from the communication unit 51 after step SA4. However, the "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" must be satisfied.

[0467] Next, FIG. 34 will be described. FIG. 34 is a time chart for illustrating the entire period in which cooking condition data (recipe data) can be acquired and control operations in the combined cooking mode KM2 in the cooking appliance 1.

[0468] In FIG. 34, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operation of the control device 40, similarly to FIG. Step SA4 is the time when the user operates input key 154M or 155M to select composite cooking mode KM2. In the case of composite cooking mode KM2 in Fig. 34, the initial waiting period TP also starts from step SA3A and ends when either input key 154M or 155M for selecting the composite cooking mode is pressed.

[0469] Even in the case of the composite cooking mode KM2, during the initial standby period TP, two input keys, namely, input key 180 and either input key 154M or 155M, are pressed consecutively within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes), so the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is met at the time of step SA4.

[0470] As shown in FIG. 34, if the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is satisfied during the initial standby period TP, the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire cooking condition data for the cooking menu of the combined cooking mode KM2 via the communication unit 51 only once.

[0471] During the initial standby period TP, the cooking condition data of the control menu of the combined cooking mode KM2 obtained from the outside can be cancelled by the input key 152M. In practice, during the initial waiting period TP, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed, and after the display information 25A (e.g., "Range Manual") as shown in the first area of ​​Figure 13 is displayed on that screen, the input key 151M can be pressed.

[0472] Furthermore, during the initial standby period TP, the control conditions of the acquired cooking condition data can be changed as appropriate by operating input keys 156M-159M (some control conditions cannot be changed). In this case, various control conditions are displayed in the second specific screen 16M2 as shown in the second and third areas of Fig. 13, so all that is required is to look at the display and press input key 156M, etc.

[0473] Next, FIG. 35 will be described. FIG. 35 is a time chart for illustrating the entire period in which cooking condition data (recipe data) can be acquired and control operations in the combined cooking mode KM3 in the cooking appliance 1.

[0474] In FIG. 35, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operation of the control device 40, similarly to FIG. 35, the configuration of the input keys 180 is modified. Specifically, the operation surface of the input keys 180 is configured to be illuminated from below by light-emitting elements (LEDs) (not shown) arranged below the operation surface.

[0475] The input function of the input keys 180 is enabled after step SA3A after the control device 40 is started up. That is, after the stage (SA3A) in which the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed to prompt the user to select a cooking mode, the input function of the input keys 180 is enabled (step SA3B), and from that point onwards, the input keys 180 are illuminated by the light-emitting elements (not shown) and become prominent in the operation unit 15.

[0476] The initial standby period TP starts from the time when the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed to prompt the user to select a cooking mode (step SA3A).

[0477] Step TL4 is the point in time when input key 180 is turned on, as in Figure 33. If input key 153M is subsequently operated, the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is met at this point, and cooking condition data can be acquired. Then, when input key 151M is operated, the initial standby period TP ends.

[0478] 35, after both the input key 180 and the input key 153M are operated, the cooking condition data for the cooperative cooking mode KM3 can be obtained from outside via the communication unit 51. Note that not only the cooking condition data for the cooperative cooking mode KM3 but also the cooking condition data for the combined cooking mode KM2 can be obtained from outside via the communication unit 51 during the initial standby period TP.

[0479] Next, FIG. 36 will be described. FIG. 36 is a time chart for explaining the entire period in which cooking condition data (recipe data) can be acquired and control operations in the cooking appliance 1.

[0480] In FIG. 36, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operation of the control device 40, similarly to FIG. In the example of FIG. 36, the input key 153M for selecting the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is pressed before the input key 180 for combined voice input.

[0481] In the example of Figure 36, the input key 153M is operated to select the collaborative cooking mode KM3, and then the input key 180 is operated, which satisfies the "recipe acquisition permission condition," so cooking condition data can be acquired from the moment the input key 180 is operated.

[0482] Next, FIG. 37 will be described. FIG. 37 is a time chart for explaining the entire period in which cooking condition data (recipe data) can be acquired and control operations in the cooking appliance 1.

[0483] In FIG. 37, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operation of the control device 40, similarly to FIG. In the example of FIG. 37, the initial waiting period TP starts from the time when the input key 154M or 155M for selecting the composite cooking mode KM2 is pressed.

[0484] In the example of Figure 37, during the initial standby period TP, the input key 154M or 155M is operated to select the composite cooking mode KM2, and after the input key 180 is operated (step TL4), cooking condition data can be obtained from the outside via the communication unit 51.

[0485] Next, FIG. 38 will be described. Figure 38 shows the main processing of the control device 40 up to the start of cooking using cooking condition data CD obtained from the outside. In particular, it shows the processing for displaying data on food ingredients and nutritional components.

[0486] 38, the cooking condition data CD acquired from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51 is stored in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 of the storage device 41 (step SS20). Then, the cooking condition data CD is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS21). This step corresponds to step SS13 described in FIG. 27.

[0487] At the next step SS21, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display section 16M, as shown in Fig. 31. That is, at least the identification information 167 is displayed.

[0488] In the next step SS22, a determination is made as to whether or not a display command has been issued from the user to display the food ingredients. If input key 158M is pressed, the determination in step SS22 will be "Yes." Step SS22 can also be executed by having the user press input key 180 and speak to voice signal receiving unit 56 to issue a command to display the food ingredients. For example, if the user utters "display calories," the voice signal analysis unit 58 (see FIG. 12) analyzes this voice signal and reads out the food ingredient data for the target cooking menu from storage device 41.

[0489] The first specific screen 16M1 displays a food component display screen 16M1A as shown in Fig. 19(A) (step SS23), and the amounts of energy, protein, fat and iron are displayed in grams. Next, the process proceeds to step SS24, which determines whether the input key 151M has been pressed. In this step SS24, the process waits for a certain period of time until a user operation is performed. If the input key 151M is pressed during this waiting period, the display returns to the first specific screen 16M1. Then, the driving of the heating means (such as the first heating means HM1) is started (SS25).

[0490] If the input key 158M is not pressed and no voice command to display food ingredients is given within a certain period of time from step SS21, the determination in step SS will be "No."

[0491] If the determination in step SS22 is "No," the process proceeds to step SS26. In step SS26, it is determined whether a command to display the nutritional components of the food has been issued. If input key 159M is pressed, the determination in step SS26 is "Yes." Step SS22 can also be executed by having the user press input key 180 and speak to the voice signal receiving unit 56 to issue a command to display the food components. For example, if the user utters "display nutrients," the voice signal analysis unit 58 (see FIG. 12) analyzes this voice signal and reads out the nutritional component data for the target cooking menu from the storage device 41.

[0492] If the determination in step SS26 is "Yes", the first specific screen 16M1 displays a nutritional component display screen 16M1B as shown in Figure 19(B) (step SS27). Then, the amounts of energy, protein, fat, and iron are displayed in grams. Then, the process proceeds to step SS24.

[0493] As mentioned above, if the function setting input key 151KP has not been operated in advance to set the food ingredients and nutritional components to be displayed individually each time before cooking begins, the operations of steps SS23 and SS27 shown in Figure 38 will not be performed.

[0494] Although the examples in FIGS. 33 to 38 do not show the single cooking mode KM2, it can be acquired from outside via the communication unit 51 during the initial standby period TP, similar to the cooking condition data CD for the combined cooking mode KM2.

[0495] Summary of embodiment 1. As is clear from the above description, in the first embodiment, the cooking device 1 according to the first disclosure is disclosed as follows. That is, the cooking device 1 according to the first disclosure is a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated placed on the top plate 3; a second heating means HM2 for heating the food in the heating chamber 6; an input operation unit 15; a notification unit 90 having a central display unit 16M; a control device 40; The control device 40 has a coordinated cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time lag to perform one cooking operation, When the control device 40 receives a command 1 (see step S1 in FIG. 23) to select a cooking menu for the cooperative cooking mode KM3 from the input operation unit 15, if the permission conditions (see FIGS. 24 and 25) are met, the control device 40 displays a first specific screen 16M1 for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 on the central display unit 16M (see step S2 in FIG. 23), The control device 40 is configured such that, when command 2 is received from the input operation unit 15 (input keys 158M, 159M or audio signal receiving unit 56) while the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (see Figures 17 and 18), information on at least one of the amounts of food ingredients or nutritional ingredients for a specific dish (see Figure 19) that can be executed in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is displayed on the central display unit 16M.

[0496] With this configuration, when selecting a specific cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") using the cooperative cooking mode KM3, information on the ingredients and nutrients of the food items related to that cooking menu can be easily obtained. This improves the convenience of the cooking menu selection operation for the user. For example, depending on the situation, such as family health management and dietary restrictions, the user can select an appropriate cooking menu based on information on the amounts of food ingredients and nutrients, which can contribute to improving eating habits.

[0497] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19 of embodiment 1, the display switches between a dedicated food ingredient display screen 16M1A showing the identification information 167 of one cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") and the food ingredients, and a dedicated nutritional ingredient display screen 16M1B showing the identification information 167 and the nutritional ingredients, so that the user can easily and clearly identify each piece of information.

[0498] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the cooking device 1 according to the second disclosure is disclosed as follows. That is, the cooking device 1 according to the second disclosure is a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated placed on the top plate 3; a second heating means HM2 for heating the food in the heating chamber 6; an input operation unit 15; a notification unit 90 having a central display unit 16M; a control device 40; The control device 40 has a coordinated cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time lag to perform one cooking operation, The input operation unit 15 has a voice signal receiving unit 56 which serves as a voice input means, and various input keys 151M to 159M, 151R to 155R, and 151L to 155L which serve as a touch input means, When the control device 40 receives a command 1 (see step S1 in FIG. 23) to select the cooperative cooking mode KM3 from either the voice input means or the touch input means, and if the permission conditions (see FIGS. 24 and 25) are met, it displays a first specific screen 16M1 for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 on the central display unit 16M, The control device 40 is configured such that, when command 2 is received from the voice signal receiving unit 56 or one of the various input keys (158M, 159M) while the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (see Figures 17 and 18), information on at least one of food ingredients or nutrients related to a specific cooking method (e.g., "hamburger steak") that can be performed in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is displayed on the central display unit 16M (see Figure 19).

[0499] With this configuration, when selecting a specific cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, information on the ingredients and nutrients of the food items related to the cooking menu can be easily obtained by voice input or touch input. This improves the convenience of the cooking menu selection operation for the user. For example, depending on the situation, such as family health management and dietary restrictions, the user can select an appropriate cooking menu based on information on food ingredients and nutritional components, which can contribute to improving eating habits.

[0500] Furthermore, similar to the heating cooker 1 of the first disclosure, the display is configured to switch between a dedicated food ingredient display screen 16M1A showing the identification information 167 of one cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") and the food ingredients, and a dedicated nutritional ingredient display screen 16M1B showing the identification information 167 and the nutritional ingredients, so that the user can easily and clearly identify each piece of information.

[0501] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the cooking device 1 according to the third disclosure is disclosed as follows. That is, the cooking device 1 according to the third disclosure is a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated; a second heating means HM2 for heating the food in the heating chamber 6; an input operation unit 15; a notification unit 90 having a central display unit 16M; a communication unit 51 that receives cooking condition data CD for executing cooking from an external device; a control device 40; The control device 40 has an integrated cooking menu KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven at different times to perform one cooking operation, The input operation unit has a voice signal receiving unit 56 which serves as a voice input means, and various input keys 151M to 159M, 151R to 155R, and 151L to 155L which serve as a touch input means unit, The control device 40 includes a heating control unit 43 that controls the heating operation corresponding to the cooperative cooking mode KM3, and a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the cooking condition data CD for a specific food via the communication unit 51. The control device 40 enables the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the cooking condition data CD when an acquisition condition is satisfied during the initial standby period TP, When the control device 40 receives a command 1 to select the cooperative cooking menu KM3 from either the voice input means or the touch input means, and if the permission conditions are met, it displays a specific cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 as a first specific screen 16M1 on the central display unit 16M, When the control device 40 receives a command 2 from either the voice input means or the touch input means while the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, it displays information on at least one of food ingredients or nutrients related to the cooking menu (food ingredient display screen 16M1A or nutritional ingredient display screen 16M1B), The control device 40 is configured such that the acquisition condition is satisfied when the voice input means and the touch input means are operated within a first limited period RT1.

[0502] With this configuration, when selecting a specific cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") using the cooperative cooking mode KM3, information on the ingredients and nutrients of each food item can be easily obtained. This improves the convenience of the cooking menu selection operation for users. For example, depending on the situation, such as family health management and dietary restrictions, users can select an appropriate cooking menu based on information on food ingredients and nutritional components, which can contribute to improving their eating habits.

[0503] Furthermore, since cooking condition data related to the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is received through a special operation by the user, the timing of data acquisition from outside is controlled. In other words, the control condition data can be acquired when the voice input means and the touch input means are operated within the first time limit RT1, so cooking condition data will not be received accidentally due to the communication terminal 200 coming too close, etc. This improves the user's sense of security.

[0504] Furthermore, in the heating cooker 1 according to the third disclosure, the input key 180, which is the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC, is also used to acquire the cooking condition data, so that it is possible to avoid increasing the number of operation keys (operation units) of the input operation unit 15, and to prevent a decrease in operability for the user.

[0505] Furthermore, in the cooking appliance 1 according to the third disclosure, the first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites for starting the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (permission conditions 1 and 2) are met. Therefore, after the user sets (selects) various conditions for the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (for example, heat level, target temperature, heating time, etc.), it is not determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not met, and the process is not forcibly returned to the initial standby screen 16MH. Therefore, the user is not forced to perform unnecessary input operations.

[0506] Furthermore, in the cooking appliances 1 according to the first to third disclosures, the input operation unit 15 is provided with a selection key 180 for selecting a voice input combined mode using the voice input means. This means that even if the user's hands are full during cooking and they are unable to perform touch operations, they can still give instructions by voice, which is convenient.

[0507] Furthermore, in the heating cooker 1 according to the first to third disclosures, the acquisition condition for acquiring cooking condition data from outside is met when the selection key 180 and one input key of the touch input unit (for example, input key 153M) are operated within the first time limit (RT1).

[0508] That is, the initial waiting period TP cannot exceed the first limit period (first time limit TR1) due to the process of step SS18 described in Fig. 27. For example, the maximum is 30 minutes.

[0509] Therefore, even if the user interrupts the operation of the input operation unit 15 for some reason, the cooking appliance 1 automatically enters an input-disabled state (by forcibly opening the main power switch 20). This prevents cooking control data and the like from being acquired from outside without the user's knowledge, improving safety.

[0510] The input operation unit 15 is provided with an input key 180 as a voice input combined mode selection unit and an input key (e.g., input key 158M) for commanding the display of information on the food component data DD, thereby providing good user operability.

[0511] In particular, as shown in Figure 7 of the first embodiment, in a configuration in which the input keys 180 and the input key for commanding the display of information on the food composition data DD (for example, input key 158M) are arranged on the central operation unit M, the central display unit 16M is also located nearby, so when a user is standing in front of (near) the central operation unit 15M to prepare food, the necessary display and operation units are within the range of the user's operation and visibility, and the user can perform operations without moving from his / her standing position. This is expected to have the advantage of reducing the physical burden on the user while cooking.

[0512] Furthermore, the notification unit 90 of the cooking device 1 relating to the first to third disclosures is configured to display an initial standby screen 16MH during the initial standby period TP, which indicates that the input functions of the input key 180 and the input key (e.g., input key 158M) that commands the display of information on the food composition data DD have been enabled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent misunderstandings and confusion when the user performs input operations during the initial standby period TP immediately after starting up the cooking appliance 1, and it is possible to improve usability.

[0513] Furthermore, the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 according to the first to third disclosures is configured to be able to acquire the cooking condition data when the input key A (e.g., input key 153M) is operated first and then the input key 180 is operated. Therefore, the control is designed to be used by users who are accustomed to touch operations (including push button operations), so it does not cause any discomfort to the user and encourages natural input.

[0514] Furthermore, the control device 40 of the heating cooker 1 according to the first to third disclosures also discloses a configuration that enables the cooking condition data to be acquired when the input key 180 is operated first and then the input key A (for example, input key 153M) is operated. This configuration is a control that assumes that a user who wants to input by voice will operate the input key 180 first, and has the effect of allowing the user to start a series of input operations by voice after selecting input by voice without feeling any discomfort in the user's operation.

[0515] Furthermore, when the input key 180 is not operated and one of the input keys of the input operation unit 15 (input key 153M for selecting the collaborative cooking mode KM3) is not operated within a first time limit (RT1), the control device 40 is configured to perform at least one of cutting off the supply of main power or instructing the alarm unit 90 to perform an alarm operation.

[0516] 27, the time elapsed from the determination step (SS10) of whether the input key 180 has been operated is limited to, for example, 30 minutes or less. Alternatively, the time elapsed from the first step SS5 in which the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed is limited to 30 minutes or less.

[0517] Therefore, if the user forgets or is unable to perform the input operation for some reason, the control device 40 will forcibly open the main power switch 20 or issue an alarm from a safety standpoint, thereby improving safety.

[0518] Furthermore, the input operation unit 15 has a function setting key 151KP, When the function setting key 151KP is operated, the control device 40 shifts to a function setting mode, The function setting mode is configured to enable setting of whether or not the food ingredients or nutritional ingredients are to be displayed in the central display section 16M, and the conditions under which they are to be displayed.

[0519] This configuration allows functions to be set according to the user's wishes, level of proficiency, etc.

[0520] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the cooking device 1 according to the sixth disclosure is disclosed as follows. That is, the cooking device 1 according to the sixth disclosure is a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated; a second heating means HM2 for heating the food in the heating chamber 6; an input operation unit 15; a communication unit (51) that receives cooking condition data for executing cooking from an external information processing terminal (200); a notification unit 90 having a central display unit 16M; a control device 40; The control device 40 includes a heating control unit 43 that controls heating operations corresponding to a plurality of cooking modes (KM1 to KM3) using the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2, and a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the cooking condition data for a specific food via the communication unit 51. After the main power switch 20 is turned on and power is supplied, the control device 40 displays a standby initial screen 16MH on the central display unit 16M. During an initial standby period TP following this point, when automatic connection is made with the information processing terminal 200 and cooking condition data for a specific cooking mode is transmitted from the information processing terminal 200, the control device 40 acquires the cooking condition data using the data acquisition unit 53 and determines whether or not the predetermined permission conditions are satisfied. If the predetermined permission conditions are satisfied, the control device 40 changes the standby initial screen 16MH to a dedicated display screen for each cooking mode (first specific screen 16M1 to third specific screen 16M3), and displays the contents of the cooking condition data on the changed display screen. The control device 40 is configured such that, when it receives an ingredient display command from the input operation unit 15 while the contents of the cooking condition data are being displayed (steps SS22 and SS26 in Figure 38), it displays (via the food ingredient display screen 16M1A or the nutritional ingredient display screen 16M1B) at least one piece of information regarding the amount of food ingredients or nutritional ingredients for a specific food item to be cooked using the cooking condition data.

[0521] Therefore, by performing a special operation by the user, cooking condition data for the collaborative cooking mode KM3 and cooking condition data for the control menus of the combined cooking mode KM2 and the single cooking mode KM1 will be received within a specific period (initial standby period TP), thereby controlling the timing of obtaining cooking condition data from outside. Therefore, cooking condition data for another cooking menu or data for another control menu will not be inadvertently received while selecting a cooking mode or setting control conditions.

[0522] Furthermore, when selecting a specific cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger steak") using the integrated cooking mode KM3, information on the ingredients and nutrients of each food item can be easily obtained. This improves the convenience of the user's cooking menu selection operation. For example, depending on the situation, such as family health management and dietary restrictions, the user can select an appropriate cooking menu based on information on food ingredients and nutritional content, which can contribute to improving eating habits.

[0523] Furthermore, in the heating cooker 1 according to the sixth disclosure, the input key 180, which serves as the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC, is also used to acquire the cooking condition data, which makes it possible to avoid increasing the number of operation keys (operation units) of the input operation unit 15 and prevents a decrease in operability for the user.

[0524] As another feature, the cooking device 1 according to the first disclosure has the following features: a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated at a first location (above the top plate 3); a second heating means HM2 for heating the food to be cooked in a second location (heating chamber 6) separate from the first location; an input operation unit 15 for receiving instructions from a user; A display unit 15; A communication unit 51 that receives cooking condition data 2 (CD2, CD4, CD5, CD6) from an external device; a control device 40 that controls the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2, the display unit 15, and the communication unit 51, The input operation unit 15 has a voice input combined mode selection unit VMC and a touch input mode selection unit TMC, The control device 40 has a heating control unit 43 that executes a cooperative cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 in order to execute heating cooking in the cooperative cooking mode for a specific food, and a restriction unit 55 that restricts acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 by the data acquisition unit 53 via the communication unit 51 during an initial standby period TP before cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is started, After the main power is supplied to the control device 40 and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed (see step SS4 in FIG. 25), the data acquisition unit 53 is enabled to acquire the cooking condition data 2 (step SS11).

[0525] In other words, during the initial standby period TP while waiting for a command to start the heating operation, when a cooking mode such as the cooperative cooking mode KM3 or the composite cooking mode KM2 is selected and the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC (input key 180) is selected, the configuration is characterized in that the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the cooking condition data 2 (step SS11 in Figure 28).

[0526] Therefore, cooking condition data for the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (including data on the control menus for the combined cooking mode KM2 and the single cooking mode KM1) is received through a special operation by the user, so the timing of data acquisition from outside is controlled. Therefore, cooking condition data for another cooking menu will not be inadvertently received while selecting a cooking mode or setting control conditions.

[0527] Furthermore, the input key 180, which serves as the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC, is also used to acquire the cooking condition data, so that it is possible to avoid increasing the number of operation keys (operation units) of the input operation unit 15, and to prevent a decrease in operability for the user.

[0528] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated at a first location (above the top plate 3); a second heating means HM2 for heating the food to be cooked in a second location (heating chamber 6) separate from the first location; an input operation unit 15 for receiving instructions from a user; A communication unit 51 that receives cooking condition data 2 (CD2, CD4, CD5, CD6) from an external device; A display unit 15 and a voice notification unit 50 (collectively referred to as the "notification unit"); a control device 40 that controls the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2, the notification units 15, 50, and the communication unit 51, The input operation unit 15 has a voice input combined mode selection unit VMC and a touch input mode selection unit TMC, The control device 40 has a heating control unit 43 that executes a cooperative cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 in order to execute heating cooking in the cooperative cooking mode for a specific food, and a restriction unit 55 that restricts the acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 by the data acquisition unit 53 via the communication unit 51 during a waiting period before starting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (i.e., a "preparation period" P1 before "cooking step 1" shown in FIG. 32). The control device 40 is configured so that when the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC and the touch input mode selection unit TMC are operated sequentially in a certain order during the initial standby period TP, the cooking condition data can be acquired by the data acquisition unit 53 via the communication unit 51.

[0529] Therefore, cooking condition data is received through special user operations (two actions: selecting the voice input combined mode and selecting one of multiple cooking modes), so the timing of data acquisition from outside is controlled. Therefore, cooking condition data for another cooking menu will not be inadvertently received while selecting a cooking mode or setting control conditions.

[0530] Furthermore, the input key 180, which serves as the voice input combined mode selection unit VMC, is also used to acquire the cooking condition data, so that it is possible to avoid increasing the number of operation keys (operation units) of the input operation unit 15, and it is also possible to prevent a decrease in operability for the user.

[0531] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, The heating cooker 1 is characterized in that the restriction unit 55 restricts the acquisition of new cooking condition data from the communication unit 51 until the cooking process of the cooking menu to which the acquired cooking condition data 2 is applied is completed.

[0532] With this configuration, the two heating means can be selected to perform cooking in the single cooking mode KM1, the combined cooking mode KM2, or the cooperative cooking mode KM3, thereby providing a cooking device that can handle a wide range of cooking methods.

[0533] Furthermore, because of the restriction unit 55, once cooking condition data (recipe data) for one specific coordinated cooking menu A is acquired, the control device 40 will not inadvertently acquire cooking condition data (recipe data) for another coordinated cooking menu B immediately before the start of a cooking process or during a cooking process. Therefore, for example, there is no risk of accidentally receiving another cooking menu (including a control menu for combined cooking mode or a control menu for single cooking mode) during coordinated cooking. Therefore, there is no concern about user confusion or operational interference with the cooking appliance 1 due to reception.

[0534] Furthermore, in the cooking device 1 according to the first embodiment, The input operation unit 15 is disclosed to have a configuration in which it is separately provided with input keys 153L and 153R for selecting the single cooking mode KM1, input keys 154M and 155M for selecting the combined cooking mode KM2, and input key 153M for selecting the linked cooking mode KM3.

[0535] With this configuration, the three cooking modes can be selected individually using the respective input keys (input means), so that the user's operability can be improved even in cooking appliances 1 with an increased number of heat sources.

[0536] Furthermore, in the cooking device 1 according to the first embodiment, The limiting unit 55 limits acquisition of new cooking condition data from the communication unit 51 until the cooking process of the cooking menu to which the acquired cooking condition data 2 is applied is completed, After the cooking condition data 2 is acquired, if the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is canceled by the input operation unit 15 before the cooking process is started, the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the cooking condition data 2 again.

[0537] This prevents another cooking menu (including the control menu for the combined cooking mode or the control menu for the single cooking mode) from being accidentally received during coordinated cooking, and allows the cooking menu of the cooking condition data 2 to be stably executed.

[0538] Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the control device 40 from being affected or to prevent the user from being confused or misled by the cooking condition data for another cooking menu that may be inadvertently received during the cooking process.

[0539] Furthermore, when the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is canceled, the cooking condition data 2 that was previously acquired but not used for cooking can be canceled, and the desired cooking condition data 2 can be acquired again, thereby preventing the user from becoming confused about the cooking condition data.

[0540] Furthermore, in the cooking device 1 according to the first embodiment, The control device 40 has a function of performing a cooperative cooking mode KM3, a composite cooking mode KM2, and a single cooking mode KM1, After the main power is turned on by the input operation unit 15, the control device 40 (1) The display unit 16 displays the standby initial screen (common screen) 16MH, (2) When the input keys 153M, 154M, 155M for selecting either the linked cooking mode KM3 or the combined cooking mode KM2 are operated, the limiting unit 55 limits the acquisition and use of cooking condition data acquired from the communication unit 51, (3) When the selection input keys 153M, 154M, 155M are operated, the display of the initial screen (common screen) 16MH is automatically changed to the display of the first specific screen 16M1 or the second specific screen 16M2, (4) With the first specific screen 16M1 or the second specific screen 16M2 displayed, the process shifts to an initial standby period TP for receiving a cooking start command from the input operation unit 15, (5) During the initial standby period TP, the acquisition of cooking condition data from the communication unit 51 is limited to one time.

[0541] With this configuration, once the standby initial screen (common screen) 16MH is displayed, it can be easily understood that by operating the selection input keys 153M, 154M, and 155M thereafter, the first specific screen 16M1 and the second specific screen 16M2 dedicated to the linked cooking mode and the combined cooking mode can be displayed, and cooking condition data can be acquired from the outside. This is expected to prevent confusion or misunderstanding in the user's input operations from immediately after the main power is turned on until cooking begins, thereby improving usability.

[0542] Embodiment 2 Figures 39 to 59 show a cooking device and a cooking system according to embodiment 2. Note that parts that are the same as or equivalent to the configuration of embodiment 1 described in Figures 1 to 38 are given the same reference numerals.

[0543] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the cooking device 1 is changed, and the function of the restriction unit 55 that restricts the acquisition of cooking condition data and the display content of the display unit 16 are different from those in the first embodiment.

[0544] In the second embodiment as well, when the restriction unit 55 acquires cooking condition data (including the "display condition data") from an external communication terminal device 200 or the like, it restricts some of the input functions and display functions of the cooking appliance 1. To this end, the data acquisition unit 53 issues various control commands in response to the operation of acquiring cooking condition data from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51.

[0545] The communication terminal 200 shown in FIG. 39 will be described. A communication terminal device 200 such as a smartphone has a transmitting unit and a receiving unit 210, a communication control unit 211, a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a ROM and a RAM 213, a speaker 214, a touch-type operation unit 215, a terminal side display unit 216 having a display screen, a cooking appliance database (storage unit) 217, an attitude detection unit 218, a remote operation information generation unit 219, and a storage unit 220. The transmitting unit and receiving unit 210 has an NFC input / output unit 221 for short-range wireless communication. Therefore, two paths, wireless communication via the Internet and short-range wireless communication, can be used.

[0546] 222 is a voice input unit that converts the voice of the user or the like into an input signal. The touch-type operation unit 215, terminal display unit 216, and voice input unit 222 are integrated in hardware to form a display operation unit 225. Note that a search unit that analyzes the voice signal from the voice input unit 222 and performs term search, information search, etc. is not shown. The search unit may be provided inside the communication terminal device 200, or may be provided in an external cloud server 300, so that the search function is provided outside the communication terminal device 200.

[0547] The attitude detection unit 218 is equipped with various sensors such as a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gravity sensor, and can detect the tilt and orientation of the communication terminal 200. As a result, a signal indicating the up-down direction of the communication terminal 200 is output to the central processing unit 212.

[0548] The central processing unit 212 receives a detection signal from the orientation detection unit 218 and controls the display orientation of the terminal display unit 216 . The central processing unit 212 inputs the signal received from the communication unit 51 of the cooking appliance 1 to the remote operation information generation unit 219.

[0549] The central processing unit 212 has a cooking condition data acquisition unit 230, a cooking condition data transmission unit 231, a terminal-side recipe selection unit 232, and a food composition data acquisition unit 233. The cooking condition data acquisition unit 230, the cooking condition data transmission unit 231, the terminal-side recipe selection unit 232, and the food composition data acquisition unit 233 may all be functionally realized by a single computer program, or may be configured by separate control circuits.

[0550] The cooking appliance database 217 holds "notification data" 223 of the cooking appliance 1 in order to generate notification information (including image information) for the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 50 of the cooking appliance 1. The cooker database 217 also holds “remote control data” 224 for the control device 40 of the cooker 1 .

[0551] Furthermore, food ingredient and nutrient ingredient data 226 related to cooking condition data (recipe data) CD is stored in the cooking appliance database 217. In this fourth embodiment, information on food ingredients (energy, fat, protein, etc.) and nutrient ingredients (potassium, calcium, etc.) is collectively referred to as "food ingredient information" DD.

[0552] The notification data 223, remote control data 224, and food ingredient / nutrient component data 226 may be stored in the information terminal device 200 from the beginning, or may be acquired by connecting to a cloud server 300, which is an information providing means, via a network 201 (202) and downloading the food ingredient information DD from the cloud server 300. In other words, the cooking appliance database 217 does not need to be constructed by fixed storage, and may be in a form in which information is acquired as needed and temporarily stored in a volatile memory.

[0553] The cooking appliance database 217 may obtain cooking condition data for various cooking methods performed by the cooking appliance 1, particularly cooking menus (e.g., "Ratatouille") that can be used in the collaborative cooking mode KM3, from the cloud server 300 or from other communication terminal devices 200 via the NFC input / output unit 221.

[0554] The remote operation information generation unit 224 processes the signal acquired from the cooking appliance 1 via the central processing unit 212 and the input signal from the display operation unit 225, and generates remote operation information for the cooking appliance 1.

[0555] The "remote operation information" referred to here includes information related to input operations of the cooking appliance 1 corresponding to all cooking modes including the cooperative cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2, display information of the central display unit 16M in the cooperative cooking mode, combined cooking mode, etc., and display information related to the right display unit 16R and the left display unit 16L. However, in all cooking modes including the cooperative cooking mode KM3, information that serves as a command to start a heating operation is not included. Therefore, the cooking appliance 1 does not receive a command to start a heating operation from this remote operation information.

[0556] It is to be noted that the "remote operation information" may not include the display information of the central display unit 16M and the display information of the right display unit 16R and the left display unit 16L. In addition, command information for the functions that can be set using the function setting key 151KP cannot be transmitted from the communication terminal 200, and cannot be generated by the communication terminal 200.

[0557] The central processing unit 212 executes the overall processing of the communication terminal device 200 in accordance with a control program stored in ROM / RAM, and reads data required in the process of executing the processing from ROM / RAM, and stores data generated in the process of executing the processing in the ROM / RAM.

[0558] The storage unit 220 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that can store information about the cooker 1 that is read from the transmission unit and the reception unit 210. For example, the storage unit 220 is used to temporarily store the cooking condition data (also referred to as "recipe data") for a specific cooking menu that is downloaded (read) from the cloud server 300. The information about the cooker 1 is obtained from a first server 321 (not shown) that is directly connected to the cooker 1, but may also be obtained via a second server 321 (not shown) that is connected to the first server 321 via a network. The first server 321 (not shown) and the second server 321 (not shown) are parts that constitute the cloud server 300.

[0559] When the user touches a specific portion of the terminal display unit 216 of the communication terminal 200, the remote operation information generating unit 219 generates remote operation information based on the touch signal. The remote control information is transmitted from the transmitting and receiving unit 210 to the cooking appliance 1.

[0560] If the cooking appliance 1 has already been supplied with power and started up, the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 treats the received remote operation information as cooking mode input operation information. For example, when a remote operation signal related to the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is received, the standby initial screen 16MH of the central display unit 16M transitions to a selection screen (first specific screen 16M1) for one cooking menu item in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (e.g., hamburger steak). However, the cooking appliance 1 does not unconditionally operate in response to the remote operation information of the communication terminal device 200. This will be described with reference to Figures 40 and 41.

[0561] On the other hand, on the side of communication terminal 200 that has transmitted the remote operation information, the display on terminal display unit 216 changes based on the remote operation information. In other words, the content of the display screen of terminal display unit 216 on display operation unit 225 of communication terminal 200 and the display content on central display unit 16M of cooking appliance 1 change in accordance with similar operation procedures, but the state of the change is not transmitted to cooking appliance 1 in real time one by one.

[0562] Even if remote operation information is generated in communication terminal device 200, it is only after a cooking mode confirmation signal is transmitted that it is recognized as a regular remote operation signal by cooking appliance 1. In other words, the remote operation information from communication terminal device 200 is transmitted all at once when a predetermined confirmation key is pressed on communication terminal device 200 to confirm the cooking mode.

[0563] Therefore, the cooking condition data (recipe data) for a cooking menu (e.g., hamburger steak) in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 includes data specifying the heating means from cooking step 1 to the final cooking step, and data on default control conditions (e.g., heat level, heat value, heating time, etc., but not limited to these) all transmitted together. In other words, the data also includes data on detailed control conditions that the user can set arbitrarily on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0564] The food component data acquisition unit 233 shown in Figure 39 has data on the components (e.g., energy content, protein, etc.) and nutritional components (e.g., vitamins A, C, iron, minerals, etc.) of various foods. Note that in this second embodiment, all of the various data are collectively referred to as "food component data."

[0565] The "food composition data" of the food composition data acquisition unit 233 does not have to be stored at the time of manufacture of the communication terminal device 200. For example, in Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has made the "Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, 2020 Edition (8th Edition)" available to the public (on the Internet, etc.). Therefore, the communication terminal device 200 may acquire data on specific foods from this data and store the data for each food in the food composition data acquisition unit 233.

[0566] When the food component data acquisition unit 233 acquires cooking condition data (recipe data) CD2 (see FIG. 43) for a cooking menu (for example, hamburger steak) from the cloud server 300, if data such as nutritional components for the food cannot be obtained from the cloud server 300, the food component data acquisition unit 233 can supplement the data such as nutritional components in the communication terminal device 200 and provide it to the cooking appliance 1. This will be described in detail in FIG. 59.

[0567] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 40. Fig. 40 is an explanatory diagram (list) of operations when cooking in the cooperative cooking mode. The table in FIG. 40 is divided into three vertical columns and lists the operation procedures, related input keys, display screens, and characteristic points regarding the operations.

[0568] First, when the operation button (key) 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed, main power is supplied to the control device 40, and if the control device 40 detects no abnormalities as a result of its self-diagnosis, the central display unit 16M and input operation unit 15 are activated. The heating power display units 17 (left heating power display unit 17L, central heating status display unit 17M, right heating power display unit 17R) are also activated.

[0569] The central display section 16M displays an initial standby screen 16MH. A two-dimensional code 60B is displayed on the standby initial screen 16MH. When the communication terminal 200 optically reads the two-dimensional code 60B, it can connect to the recipe information providing server 301 that stores information on various cooking recipes, i.e., various cooking condition data. Therefore, the communication terminal 200 can obtain the cooking condition data for the desired cooking.

[0570] In this second embodiment, the communication terminal device 200 can directly communicate wirelessly with the cooking appliance 1. The cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200 are configured to be automatically connected when they are within a communication range.

[0571] The communication method used between the communication terminal device 200 and the cooking appliance 1 is Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is one of the short-range wireless communication standards. A wireless router 340 (not shown) is installed between the communication terminal device 200 and the cloud server 300. A wireless LAN communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) is used between the wireless router (not shown) and the communication terminal device 200.

[0572] First, mutual authentication is performed between the communication terminal device 200 and the cooking appliance 1, so when the cooking appliance 1 is started up, if the cooking appliance 1 transmits a signal for automatic connection (also called a "scan signal"), mutual communication for automatic connection is performed between the cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200. The scan signal may also be transmitted from the communication terminal device 200 side.

[0573] Once the connection between the cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200 is established, the cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200 continue to be able to directly communicate wirelessly with each other. If the communication terminal device 200 moves with the user and becomes farther away from the cooking appliance 1, communication may become temporarily unavailable, but the connection will be automatically restored when the communication range (distance) returns.

[0574] During the period from the time when the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed until the input key 153M (to select the collaborative cooking mode KM3) is pressed, acquisition of cooking condition data CD2 (CD4, CD6) from the communication terminal device 200 is basically prohibited.

[0575] Furthermore, during the period from when the main power switch 20 is turned on until the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed, the cooking condition data CD2 (CD4, CD6) cannot be acquired from the communication terminal 200 at all.

[0576] In addition, Figure 41, which will be described later, shows an example in which the reception restriction on cooking condition data CD2, CD4, and CD6 is not lifted from the time when input key 180M is pressed, but rather from the time when input key 153M (or 154M or 155M) is pressed following input key 180M.

[0577] FIG. 41 shows an example in which the display screen configuration of FIG. 40 is slightly modified. When cooking condition data is received from an external device, an example such as "Receiving recipe from an external device" is displayed in text on the initial standby screen 16MH as shown in FIG.

[0578] 41 shows an example in which the display is switched to a dedicated reception operation display screen 16MM, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0579] FIG. 42 is a plan view showing the initial standby screen 16MH, which shows the state immediately after the main power switch 20 is turned on.

[0580] The following describes a case where the cooking menu item desired by the user, "Ratatouille," is not available in the cooking menu database (cooker database 217) held by the cooker 1. "Ratatouille" is a dish that originated in southern France, in which several kinds of vegetables, such as zucchini, onion, and bell pepper, are sliced ​​and sautéed in olive oil with tomatoes and herbs.

[0581] Acquisition of the cooking condition data for the above-mentioned "Ratatouille" by the communication terminal device 200 will be described. Using the voice input unit 222 or the touch-type operation unit 215, the above-mentioned "Ratatouille" is specified in the terminal side recipe selection unit 232, and the cloud server 300 is accessed to obtain the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" in the cooking condition data acquisition unit 230.

[0582] The acquired cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" is temporarily stored in the storage unit 220. The display unit 216 on the terminal side displays a message indicating that the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" has been successfully downloaded, and prompts the user to decide whether or not to send the data.

[0583] Therefore, when the user operates the display operation unit 225 (or inputs voice via the voice input unit 222) to instruct the cooking condition data transmission unit 231 to transmit, the central processing unit 212 transmits the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" to the cooker 1. Note that, together with transmitting this cooking condition data, "notification data" 223 for the cooker 1 and "remote control data" 224 for the control device 40 of the cooker 1 are also transmitted.

[0584] As shown in Fig. 40, after the input key 153M is pressed, the control device 40 allows the cooking appliance 1 to receive the cooking condition data for each cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. However, as shown in Fig. 40, the display does not immediately switch to the first specific screen 16M1. Therefore, the cooking condition data reception operation continues while the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed.

[0585] Figure 41 shows another example of a display showing that the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" is being received from the communication terminal 200. As shown in Figure 41, the initial standby screen 16MH is switched to a receiving operation display screen 16MM, which shows that a recipe is being received from an external device. The receiving operation display screen 16MM will be described later with reference to Figure 44.

[0586] The limiting section 55 of the cooking appliance 1 can execute the operation of receiving cooking condition data via the communication section 51 from the moment the input key 153M is pressed. If any cooking condition data is received, it is temporarily stored in a predetermined storage area (or a dedicated buffer memory) in the cooking condition data storage unit 42. Note that reception of the notification data 223 and remote control data 224 is also permitted, and they are linked to the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" (processed so that they can be identified in a one-to-one relationship) and temporarily stored in the storage unit 42.

[0587] Next, as shown in Fig. 43, when the input key 153M is pressed, information on each cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode (identification information 167) is displayed on the display unit 16M. At the stage in Fig. 43, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, not the standby initial screen 16MH.

[0588] 43, light emitting units 21M corresponding to input keys 154 to 157 emit light as if they were marked with a star. That is, the cooking menu and control conditions can be changed by the user using these input keys 154 to 157.

[0589] In FIG. 43, CD9 is "cooking execution data" that is automatically transmitted to the cloud server 300 via the network 205 immediately after the cooking appliance 1 has finished cooking.

[0590] Here, the "cooking execution data" is useful information that is used by the cloud server 300 to analyze the results of cooking, long-term history, changes, and the like.

[0591] In FIG. 43, the cooking execution data CD9 is depicted as being sent only to the cloud server 300, but it may be set in advance on the cooker 1 side so that it is sent to the communication terminal 200 as well.

[0592] As described above, the communication terminal 200 is connected to the cloud server 300 via the network 202. The cooking condition data CD2 can be acquired via this network 202. Furthermore, if necessary, information on the standard components and nutritional components of the food (ingredient) targeted by the cooking condition data CD2 can also be acquired from the cloud server 300 via this network 202. This will be described in detail in FIG. 59.

[0593] Figure 44 shows an example of a specific display screen that indicates that the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" is being received from the communication terminal 200. As shown in Figure 44(B), the initial standby screen 16MH is switched to a receiving operation display screen 16MM that indicates that a recipe is being received from an external device.

[0594] FIG. 44(A) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the reception operation display screen 16MM. In Figures 44(A) and (B), 16F denotes a plurality of progress marks that appear in the reception operation display screen 16MM according to the progress of the reception operation.

[0595] In FIG. 44(B), reference numeral 174 denotes a receiving operation display section, which displays in text the fact that cooking condition data is currently being received from the outside.

[0596] There are two types of progress marks 16F: black square marks and white square marks. As shown in Figure 44, immediately after the start of the cooking control data reception operation, there is only one black square mark, but as the reception operation progresses, the number of black square marks increases, and finally there are five black square marks lined up. As the number of black square marks increases, the same number of white square marks disappear.

[0597] The progress mark 16F may display the degree of progress by changing the size or color of a single graphic, or may be expressed by animation.

[0598] Furthermore, instead of the receiving operation display screen 16MM, multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) may be provided, as in the left heating power display unit 17L of the first embodiment, and the progress of the receiving operation may be displayed in multiple stages by the light emitted by the LEDs. For example, at the beginning of the receiving operation, only one LED may be lit, and as the receiving operation progresses, the number of lit LEDs may increase. Alternatively, the progress may be expressed by flashing the LEDs or by changing the color of the light. This may allow the user to be notified of the completion of the receiving operation in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0599] Next, the operation of the limiting unit 55 will be described. As shown in FIG. 44, during the operation of receiving cooking condition data via the communication unit 51, the input operation unit 15 on the cooking appliance 1 side cannot interrupt the receiving operation midway. For example, even if the input keys 152M and 153M are pressed, the operation of the data acquisition unit 53 cannot be interrupted.

[0600] The cooking condition data stored in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 of the cooking appliance 1 is displayed in the form of a first specific screen 16M1 as shown in FIG.

[0601] In Figure 45, 173 is an external recipe identification unit, as explained in the first embodiment. This makes it easy to see that the collaborative cooking menu currently displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 has been obtained from an external source.

[0602] As shown in FIG. 45, a specific linked cooking menu (in this case, "Ratatouille") is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1, and cooking operation can be started by touching the input key 151M.

[0603] Furthermore, by operating input key 156M or 157M, it is possible to select either heating by the right heating section (right heating port 4R) or heating by the left heating section.

[0604] Furthermore, by operating the input key 152M, it is possible to cancel cooking using the specific linked cooking menu (in this case, "Ratatouille") obtained from the outside. Once a cancellation operation is performed in this way, the screen returns to the initial standby screen 16MH, and in that state, it is necessary to touch the input key 153M again.

[0605] In this way, once the cooking condition data corresponding to one cooking menu that has been previously acquired is canceled, cooking condition data for another cooking menu can be acquired again (it is also possible to acquire cooking condition data for the same cooking again).

[0606] Furthermore, if a specific linked cooking menu obtained from an external device (in this case, the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille") has not yet been completed, it cannot be changed to another linked cooking menu (for example, "Hamburger Steak"). To change the linked cooking menu, you must operate input key 152M to return to the initial standby screen 16MH.

[0607] In FIG. 45, the light-emitting parts 21M of the input keys 156M and 157M are lit, but after selecting either the left heating unit specification part 171L or the right heating unit specification part 171R with the input keys 156M and 157M, the user can manually set control conditions such as heat power using the input keys 156M and 157M.

[0608] The next Figure 46 shows that when cooking in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 based on cooking condition data obtained from outside, the microwave heating output level can be adjusted when proceeding to cooking process 2.

[0609] As shown in the following Figure 46(B), the microwave heating output level is displayed in a total of five levels, from "strong" to "weak," in the second area 23. The user can select such microwave output level by operating input keys 156M and 157M. Therefore, in the final step (cooking step 2), the user can adjust the heating intensity of the microwaves depending on the finished state of the food to be cooked.

[0610] FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cooking steps of a collaborative cooking menu and operations on the input operation unit in chronological order. In the example of FIG. 47, the cooperative cooking menu is made up of three cooking steps: cooking step 1, cooking step 2, and cooking step 3.

[0611] 47, the cooking condition data is specified in a predetermined computer program format to wait for input from input key 151M to start the heating operation, and to stop the heating operation when input from input key 153R (153L) is made, or to stop the heating operation when certain conditions (continuous cooking time or reaching of target temperature) are met. Control conditions such as heat power may also be specified.

[0612] The program included in the cooking condition data defines heating pause periods P3 and P5, which will be described later, but does not define the duration of these heating pause periods P3 and P5. However, to prevent cooking from being interrupted for an excessively long time, it is possible to include a process that counts the elapsed time for each of cooking steps 1 and 2, for example, based on the end of each step, and issues an alarm and forcibly stops the execution of the cooking menu when, for example, 30 minutes have elapsed.

[0613] In the example of cooking condition data in Figure 47, cooking process 1 is performed using a microwave heating source (second heating means) HM2, cooking process 2 is performed using the same microwave heating source, and finally cooking process 3 is provided in which the food to be cooked is moved onto top plate 3 and finishing induction heating is performed to compensate for insufficient heating.

[0614] In addition, in this cooking device 1, a measure is added to prevent the setting of cooking modes, control conditions, etc. from being inadvertently changed in response to an external command signal.

[0615] In the "second collaborative cooking menu" in the example of Figure 47, the second heating means HM2 is operated first, and after that heating operation is completed, the induction heating source is operated as the first heating means HM1, but the radiant heat heating means 12 may also be operated as the third heating means simultaneously with the second heating means HM2.

[0616] As shown in FIG. 47, the "second collaborative cooking menu" shown here consists of four steps. P1 is the first stage (preparation period), which is the period from when input key 153M is operated to execute the cooperative cooking menu until the cooking operation is started by input key 151M.

[0617] When the input key 153M is operated, if the "permission condition" as described above is satisfied, the control device 40 displays the first specific screen 16M1. Note that the first specific screen 16M1 is not shown in Fig. 47.

[0618] When the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, one of the linked cooking menus can be selected by operating input keys 154M and 155M. After that, by operating input key 151M, the mode switches to linked cooking mode and proceeds to the heating cooking step P2.

[0619] When the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, if the identification information 167 of the user's desired collaborative cooking menu is displayed in a predetermined position on the first specific screen 16M1 (default display), there is no need to operate the input keys 154M and 155M.

[0620] P2 is a period of cooking by the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating source) (cooking step 1). This cooking process 1 is started when the control device 40 confirms that the door 7 has been opened once during the preparation period P1 and then closed. The door open / close signal from the open / close detection unit 10 described in the first embodiment is used.

[0621] The cooking step 1 basically ends automatically when the heating time predetermined by the operation program of the linked cooking menu has elapsed or when the temperature of the food to be cooked reaches a set value (e.g., 90°C). For example, in one linked cooking menu, heating begins with a microwave output of 500 W. Furthermore, if the user opens the door 7 at any time, microwave irradiation is instantly stopped and the heating operation is stopped.

[0622] In the example of FIG. 47, the input key 152M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed to end cooking process 1.

[0623] At the stage when cooking step 1 is started, the control device 40 has already finished determining whether the permission conditions are met, and therefore knows which heating section of the first heating means HM1 (induction heating means) is in use. In other words, it knows the usage status of both the right heating port 4R and the left heating port 4L. Therefore, as a default setting, the control device 40 determines to use the "right heating section" 4R in cooking step 3 of the cooperative cooking mode, and occupies this right heating port 4R.

[0624] P3 is a heating pause period during which cooking step 1 by the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) is temporarily stopped and cooking step 2 by the second heating means HM2 is started again.

[0625] This pause period P3 is a period required to check the degree of heating of the food in cooking step 1, add seasonings, or add another food to be cooked and perform cooking step 2. For example, in cooking step 1, only frozen food can be heated, and in cooking step 2, seasonings can be added or another food (such as non-frozen food) that heats up faster than frozen food can be added. This broadens the range of cooking options. The heating pause step P3 ends when the input key 152M is pressed, and the process proceeds to the cooking step 2 of P4.

[0626] P4 is a cooking period (cooking step 2) using the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means). In this cooking step, the user can individually set control conditions (for example, cooking time and target temperature) by operating at least one of the four input keys 156M to 159M. Then, when input key 151M is pressed to command the cooking to be stopped, cooking step 2 ends and the process proceeds to a heating pause period P5.

[0627] During this heating pause period P5, the user opens the door 7, removes the food to be cooked from inside the heating chamber 6, and places it on the top plate 3. The food to be cooked is placed inside a heated object such as a metal pot. Then, when the input key 153R for the right heating port 4R is pressed to command the start of cooking, the heating pause step P5 ends and the process proceeds to the heating cooking period P6 (the "cooking step 3" of induction heating).

[0628] This heating pause period P5 is the period required to check the degree of heating of the food in cooking step 2, add seasonings, or add another food to be cooked and then carry out cooking step 3. For example, in cooking step 2, only frozen food can be heated as the food to be cooked, and in cooking step 3, the food can be immersed in seasonings or cooking liquid, or a food that has been preheated separately can be added to the same food to be heated. This broadens the range of cooking options.

[0629] P6 switches from cooking step 2 using the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating source) to cooking step 3 using the first heating means HM1 (in this case, induction heating means, for example, the right heating port 4R). In this cooking step 3, when cooking with right heating port 4R as described above, the user can individually set control conditions (for example, cooking time and target temperature) by operating input keys 154R and 155R.

[0630] Furthermore, if cooking step 3 is performed using left heating port 4L, the user can individually set control conditions (for example, cooking time and target temperature) by operating input keys 154L and 155L.

[0631] Then, when input key 153R is pressed to command stopping cooking, cooking step 3 ends and operation in the linked cooking mode ends. In the case of timer cooking, induction heating cooking ends automatically when the time has elapsed, and cooking step 3 ends.

[0632] As is clear from Fig. 47, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R becomes unusable from the point at which the start of cooking is decided using the input key 151M, not when the collaborative cooking menu is selected, i.e., when the identification information 167 indicating the name of the cooking on the collaborative cooking menu is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Note that if the left heating port 4L is set as the default setting, the left heating port 4L will be occupied.

[0633] As is clear from the above description, the control device 40 performs the following function restriction process. (1) The input signal from the right operation unit 15R is invalidated. As a result, the right heating port 4R cannot be used in any mode other than the combined cooking mode during the cooking period (cooking step 1) to cooking period (cooking step 3). (2) Even when the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) begins, the left operating unit 15L can be used (the input signal from the left operating unit 15L is not invalidated).

[0634] In this way, when the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) begins, the control device 40 moves from the cooking step 1 stage to a state in which only the right heating port 4R for cooking step 3 is occupied.

[0635] Therefore, the right heating port 4R is "occupied" by the selection of the linked cooking menu. Also, when viewed from the perspective of the first heating means HM1 as a whole, the use of only a portion (the right side) of the three heating sections is "restricted."

[0636] Even after the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) ends, the restricted state of the right heating port 4R is not released. In addition, during the cooking process 1, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, and the user can easily understand that the cooperative cooking mode has been entered, so the execution of other cooking menus is not restricted for the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2. This also applies to the heating pause period P3 to cooking process 2.

[0637] Furthermore, even if the control device 40 detects that the door 7 has changed from an open state to a closed state before the start of the heating cooking period (cooking process 1), if the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is higher than the reference value, there is a concern that the control device 40, the non-contact (infrared) sensor 13, and thermistor sensor 14 may mistakenly recognize the abnormally high temperature in the heating chamber 6 as indicating that cooking has been completed even before cooking has started. Therefore, if the temperature in the heating chamber 6 is too high before the start of the heating cooking period (cooking process 1) and before the start of cooking process 2, the first specific screen 15M1 displays the message that "the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) cannot be used immediately due to high temperature."

[0638] The periods indicated by thick arrows in Figure 47 are the reception restriction period for one cooking condition data (recipe data) and the "addition restriction period" for additional cooking condition data (recipe data). These reception restriction periods and "addition restriction periods" are hereinafter collectively referred to as "restriction periods."

[0639] As shown in FIG. 47, the "starting point" of the "restricted period" is the point in time when a linked cooking menu (for example, "Ratatouille") is selected with a specific input key 154M or 155M.

[0640] The "starting point" of the "limited period" may be the time when the display of the first specific screen 16M1 begins. In other words, as shown by the large dashed arrow in Figure 47, the "starting point" may be changed to the time when the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is selected with the input key 153M. In this case, the start point of the "limited period" is an earlier point P1A in the first stage (preparation period) P1.

[0641] When the input key 151M is touched once and the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, the limiting operation by the limiting unit 55 is carried out as follows.

[0642] That is, the limiting unit 55 built into the control device 40 operates as follows. As shown in Figure 47, during the "restriction period," changing a specific linked cooking menu A obtained from an external device to another linked cooking menu B (for example, "hamburger steak") is effectively prohibited. To change the menu, it is necessary to operate the input key 152M to temporarily cancel the linked cooking mode KM3 and return to the initial standby screen 16MH.

[0643] In other words, once the "restricted period" indicated by the thick arrow in Fig. 47 has begun, you can cancel cooking using the specific linked cooking menu A obtained from an external device at any time by operating the input key 152M. Once you perform a cancellation operation like this, the screen returns to the initial standby screen 16MH, and you must touch the input key 153M again in that state.

[0644] Furthermore, once the input key 151M is touched for a specific linked cooking menu A obtained from the outside, that is, once a heating start command is given, the control device 40 cannot obtain cooking condition data (recipe data) for another linked cooking menu C.

[0645] In other words, once the "restricted period" indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 47 begins, by operating input key 152M, cooking condition data (recipe data) for another linked cooking menu A can be obtained and cooking can be started using that data, but further cooking condition data (recipe data) cannot be obtained from outside until all cooking steps for this cooking menu A are completed.

[0646] As is clear from the above description, the cooking device 1 of the second embodiment has the following configuration. a first heating means HM1 including a first heating section (right heating section) 4R and a second heating section (left heating section) 4L; a second heating means HM2 capable of heating the food to be cooked in a heating chamber 6 located away from the first heating means HM1; a control device 40 that controls the second heating means HM2 and the first heating means HM1; a display unit 16M that displays control information of the second heating means HM2 and the first heating means HM1, The control device 40 has a number of cooperative cooking menus for cooking one food item using the second heating means HM2 and the first heating means HM1, the number of which is equal to the number of types of food items; The control device 40 is configured to perform the following operations when it receives a command to display an integrated cooking menu via the input key 153M. (1) The relationship between the second heating means HM2 and the first heating means HM1 and the permission conditions such as "not having been used before" and "the temperature of the heating chamber 6 being low" is determined. Then, it is determined whether the cooperative cooking menu can be executed.

[0647] (2) If it is determined that the collaborative cooking menu can be executed, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display section 16M.

[0648] (3) At least one of the cooperative cooking menus is displayed selectably on the first specific screen 16M1 by enabling the input functions of the corresponding input keys 154M and 155M.

[0649] (4) When one linked cooking menu is selected, a command to start the linked cooking mode from input key 151M is awaited.

[0650] (5) When a command to start the combined cooking mode is received, microwaves from the second heating means HM2 are supplied to the heating chamber 6, and cooking step 1 is started.

[0651] (6) When cooking step 1 is completed automatically or by user command, the heating pause period P3 is entered, and a command to resume the linked cooking mode (for cooking step 2) from input key 151M is awaited.

[0652] (7) When a command to start the linked cooking mode is received from the input key 151M, microwaves are supplied from the second heating means HM2 to the heating chamber 6, and cooking step 2 is started.

[0653] After that, the heating pause period P5 is passed, and the heating cooking period P6 (cooking step 3) begins. In this cooking step 3, by operating input keys 154R and 155R, it is possible to set the control conditions for induction heating using right heating port 4R.

[0654] As described above, in this embodiment 2, when the predetermined permission conditions are met, the first specific screen 16M1 for the coordinated cooking mode is displayed, and this display screen makes it possible to easily proceed with the transition to the coordinated cooking mode using the relevant right heating port 4R or left heating port 4L and second heating means HM2. Furthermore, if the permission conditions are not met, the first specific screen 16M1 itself is not displayed, so there is no risk of misuse or misunderstanding by the user. In other words, a highly convenient combined cooking device can be realized without impairing user operability.

[0655] Furthermore, there is a heating pause period P3 between cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, and the length of this heating pause period P3 is determined by the timing at which the user issues a cooking restart command using input key 151M. That is, in this second embodiment, the time required to check the degree of heating of the food in cooking step 1, add seasonings, or add another food and perform cooking step 2 can be secured. This makes it easy to use and allows the user to expand their cooking repertoire.

[0656] Furthermore, because of the restriction unit 55, once the input key 151M is touched for one specific linked cooking menu A, the control device 40 will not acquire cooking condition data (recipe data) for another linked cooking menu C from the outside via the communication unit 51. Therefore, another cooking menu (including the control menu for the combined cooking mode or the control menu for the single cooking mode) will not be inadvertently received during linked cooking. Therefore, there is no concern about user confusion or operational interference with the cooking appliance 1 due to reception.

[0657] Furthermore, even after the input key 151M is touched for one specific collaborative cooking menu A, if the input key 152M is subsequently operated during the cooking process of the collaborative cooking menu A, and the cooking in the collaborative cooking mode is stopped (cancelled), the control device 40 can acquire the cooking condition data (recipe data) for a new collaborative cooking menu C via the communication unit 51.

[0658] Next, FIGS. 48 to 59 will be described. 48 to 58 show the display contents of the terminal-side display screen (which also serves as an input operation screen) 216 of the communication terminal device 200, and will be explained in order below. Note that the "terminal-side display screen" 216 will be referred to as the "display screen" 216 hereinafter.

[0659] 48(A) and 48(B) are enlarged views of the display screen 216 of the communication terminal device 200. FIG. The display screen 216 is formed by covering the surface of a liquid crystal display screen or an organic EL display screen with a glass plate. Although they do not appear as physical structures on the upper surface (surface) of the glass plate, various icons (input keys) 488, 489, 491L, 491M, 491R, 492 to 496, etc., which will be described later, can be visually recognized by displaying them on the display screen 216. Although specific parts of the glass plate itself do not emit light or generate images, in the following explanation, the expression "displayed on the display screen" will be used from the perspective of a user viewing the display of characters, figures, and other information.

[0660] The "icons" allow desired input. That is, each icon has a capacitance sensing key. By touching the icon, the touch-type operation unit 215 (see FIG. 39) generates a command signal to the central processing unit 212.

[0661] To indicate the presence and function of an icon, a specific function is displayed in text or graphics (at least when it is in a state where it can accept input). For example, as in the example of Figure 48(A), text information such as "Left IH operation unit" is displayed at the position of icon 491L.

[0662] Reference numeral 481 denotes a menu display section on the initial screen shown in Fig. 48(A). This menu display section 481 changes to a menu selection display section 482 for the left heating section in Fig. 48(B). Also, in Fig. 49(A), it changes to a heating source selection display section 483 that says "Select heating source."

[0663] Furthermore, menu display section 481 changes to range grill control menu selection display section 484, which displays "RG control menu selection" in FIG. 50(B). Furthermore, the menu display section 481 changes to a cooperative cooking menu display section 485 in FIG. 55(A) that says "Select cooperative cooking menu."

[0664] 55(B), menu display section 481 changes to a preparation information display section 486 titled "Next Preparation Guide." In Figures 56(A) and 56(B), menu display section 481 changes to a coordinated cooking menu name display section 487 showing "fried chicken," one of the coordinated cooking menus.

[0665] Returning to Fig. 48(A), reference numeral 490 denotes a warning information display section as an initial standby screen. Before operation starts, the heating chamber 6 may already be hot due to heat from the previous cooking, and Fig. 48(A) is an example that calls attention to this fact. It also indicates that the power is already on (main power switch 20 is closed).

[0666] 48, 491M is a selection section (icon) of central operation section 15M. By operating central operation section 15M, cooking can be performed using heating sections other than left and right heating ports 4L and 4R, as described in the first embodiment.

[0667] In Fig. 48, 491L is a selection section (icon) of the left operation section 15L, and 491R is a selection section (icon) of the right operation section 15R. An advice display selection section (icon) 492 is provided. When this is touched, the audio notification section 50 notifies the user of reference information for the operation corresponding to the touched situation.

[0668] In FIG. 48, FG indicates the user's fingertip. In FIGS. 48(A) and (B) and other figures, triangular marks (icons) 501 and 502 are screen switching marks.

[0669] The next Figure 49(B) also has a screen switching mark 503. When these marks are touched, the display screen 216 can be switched in a specific order with each touch. Incidentally, when the screen switching mark 502 is touched in Figure 48(B), the display screen 216 moves to the right, and the next display screen 480 appears from the left side.

[0670] In addition, the screen switching marks 501 to 503 may be omitted by providing a scroll function in which the fingertip FG is moved while touching the display screen 216, and the display screen is moved accordingly.

[0671] In FIG. 48(A), when the left ope...

Claims

1. a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the cooking appliance and having a terminal operation unit that accepts user input and a terminal display unit; a cloud server connected to the information processing terminal via a wireless network; It is equipped with the cloud server has a function of transmitting cooking condition data for the heating cooker and display information to be displayed on the terminal display unit in response to a request from the information processing terminal; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting command information input to the terminal operation unit to the cloud server, and a function of displaying the cooking condition data received from the cloud server on the terminal display unit, the information processing terminal has a function of narrowing down food ingredients or nutritional ingredients of a cooking menu that is the subject of the cooking condition data for the specific cooking menu to be transmitted to the cooking appliance from a database held therein; the information processing terminal has a function of transmitting the cooking condition data and information indicating food ingredients or nutritional ingredients of the cooking that is the subject of the data to the cooking appliance; The cooking device has an alarm unit that is activated after a main power switch is turned on, The notification unit displays an initial standby screen before the cooking process starts, A heating cooking system characterized in that the heating cooker has a function of sending a reception period start signal to the cloud server in accordance with the cooking mode selected by the user after displaying the standby initial screen.

2. a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the cooking appliance and having a terminal operation unit that accepts user input and a terminal display unit; a cloud server connected to the information processing terminal via a wireless network; It is equipped with the cloud server has a function of transmitting cooking condition data for the heating cooker and display information to be displayed on the terminal display unit in response to a request from the information processing terminal; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting command information input to the terminal operation unit to the cloud server, and a function of displaying the cooking condition data received from the cloud server on the terminal display unit, the information processing terminal has a function of narrowing down food ingredients or nutritional ingredients of a cooking menu that is the subject of the cooking condition data for the specific cooking menu to be transmitted to the cooking appliance from a database held therein; the information processing terminal has a function of transmitting the cooking condition data and information indicating food ingredients or nutritional ingredients of the cooking that is the subject of the data to the cooking appliance; the cloud server includes a first server that wirelessly communicates with the cooking appliance; A heating cooking system characterized in that, when the first server receives a reception period end signal as one of the operating status data transmitted to the outside while the heating cooker is operating, the first server does not transmit the cooking condition data for the heating cooker to the heating cooker or the information processing terminal.

3. 3. The cooking system according to claim 1, wherein the cooking device has two input functions: a voice input combined mode and a touch input mode.

4. a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a terminal operation unit and a terminal display unit; It is equipped with the first server has a function of receiving operation status data of the cooking device from the cooking device, and a function of transmitting display information to be displayed on the terminal display unit regarding the operation of the cooking device to the second server in response to a request A for provision of cooking condition data received from the second server; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting command information inputted to the terminal operation unit to the second server, and a function of displaying the cooking condition data received from the second server on the terminal display unit, the second server has a function of recognizing the content of the command information received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request A identified from the content of the command information to the first server, and a function of transmitting the cooking condition data received from the first server in response to the transmission of the request A to the cooking device; A heating cooking system characterized in that the first server does not transmit the cooking condition data to the heating cooker if the heating cooker is not in a reception-enabled period based on the operating status data received from the heating cooker.

5. 5. The cooking system according to claim 4, wherein the cooking device has two input functions: a voice input combined mode and a touch input mode.

6. The cooking device has an alarm unit that is activated after a main power switch is turned on, The notification unit displays an initial standby screen before the cooking process starts, The heating and cooking system according to claim 4, characterized in that the heating and cooking appliance has a function of transmitting a reception period start signal to the first server in accordance with the cooking mode selected by the user after the standby initial screen is displayed.

7. a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a display operation unit for receiving input and a function for inputting command contents by voice; It is equipped with the first server has a function of transmitting, to the second server, operation assistance data to be notified at the information processing terminal regarding the operation of the cooking appliance in response to a request A received from the second server; The information processing terminal has a first function of transmitting the command content input by voice to the second server as voice data, a second function of notifying information on the operation support data received from the second server, a third function of specifying cooking condition data to be acquired, a fourth function of requesting provision of food component data of a food to be cooked that is the subject of the cooking condition data and the cooking condition data, and a fifth function of requesting transmission of the cooking condition data to the cooking appliance, the second server has a function of recognizing the content of the voice data received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request A identified from the content of the voice data to the first server, and a function of transmitting the operation assistance data received from the first server in response to the transmission of the request A to the information processing terminal; The information processing terminal device displays the contents of the cooking condition data and the food component data sent from the first server to the cooking device, and after displaying the data, receives a user's command and issues a command to be provided to the cooking device using the fifth function.

8. a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a display operation unit for receiving input and a function for inputting command contents by voice; It is equipped with the first server has a function of receiving operation status data of the cooking appliance from the cooking appliance, and a function of transmitting, to the second server, operation support data to be notified by the information processing terminal regarding the operation of the cooking appliance in response to a request A received from the second server; The information processing terminal has a function of transmitting the command content input by voice to the second server as voice data, a function of notifying the second server of the information on the operation assistance data received from the second server, and a function of requesting the second server to provide food ingredient information of the food to be cooked that is the subject of cooking condition data to be obtained and the cooking condition data, the second server has a function of recognizing the content of the voice data received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request A identified from the content of the voice data to the first server, and a function of transmitting the operation assistance data received from the first server in response to the transmission of the request A to the information processing terminal; The cooking system according to claim 1, wherein the first server determines, from the operating state data received from the cooking appliance, whether or not the cooking appliance is in a period in which it can acquire the cooking condition data.

9. a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server capable of communicating with the cooking appliance; a second server capable of communicating with the first server; an information processing terminal capable of communicating with the second server and having a display operation unit for receiving input and a function for inputting command contents by voice, the first server has a function of receiving operation status data of the cooking device from the cooking device, and a function of transmitting cooking condition data for cooking by the cooking device to the cooking device in response to request B received from the second server; the information processing terminal device transmits the command content input by voice to the second server as voice data, and commands the second server to transmit the cooking condition data and food component data of the food to be cooked that is the subject of the cooking condition data to the heating cooker; the second server has a function of recognizing the command content by the voice data received from the information processing terminal and transmitting the request B identified from the command content to the first server; A heating and cooking system characterized in that the first server determines from the operating status data received from the heating cooker whether the heating cooker is in a period in which it can acquire the cooking condition data, and further transmits the cooking condition data and the food component data to the heating cooker in response to request B.

10. 10. The cooking system according to claim 9, wherein the cooking device has two input functions: a voice input combined mode and a touch input mode.

11. The heating and cooking system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that when the first server receives a reception period end signal as one of the operating status data transmitted to the outside during operation of the heating cooker, it does not transmit the cooking condition data for the heating cooker to the heating cooker or the information processing terminal.

12. The heating and cooking system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the heating cooker has a function that, when the cooking condition data is acquired from an external source, restricts the acquisition of new cooking condition data until the cooking process of the cooking menu to which the cooking condition data is applied is completed.

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